Helen is a graduate from the Doctorate in Educational Psychology at the University of Strathclyde

Tell us a little bit about your background...

I work as an educational psychologist in Ireland. The service I work for is called the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) which is part of the Department of Education in Ireland and is the largest educational psychology service In Ireland. We support primary, post-primary and special schools. My decision to apply for and undertake the DEdPsy programme was based on some of the challenges I was encountering in schools and classrooms that I support as part of my role. I wanted to develop a training programme for teachers who work with autistic students with complex needs based on an approach called dynamic assessment. Developing interventions is a complex process and I needed to develop my research design skills to a higher level, the kind of skills at doctoral level

What drew you towards undertaking your degree?

I was drawn to the DEdPsy programme because of its strong focus on research design and access to researchers with a strong track record in research in the areas of autism and dynamic assessment. The programme is structured to ‘fit’ in with the very busy schedules of practising educational psychologists and the different areas the DEdPsy students are researching have an ‘action research’ focus in that the areas are related to specific challenges educational psychologists encounter in their work in schools.

Tell us about the format of the programme. What is a typical working week like?

While I live and work in Ireland, I have been able to complete my doctoral studies remotely, through regular supervision meetings held online which has been one of the strengths of the programme. It ensures that psychologists regardless of where they live can complete their studies as well as having opportunities to share practice and learn about educational psychology practice in other countries. Since starting the programme, I have been able to link in with dynamic assessment researchers and practitioners in many countries which has enriched my professional development and made important links with the educational psychology services in the UK and Ireland.

What is the research community at Strathclyde like?

From the get go, I have found the Strathclyde DEdPsy community very welcoming, friendly and most of all supportive. My supervisors have been available for regular supervision meetings and provided expert advice and support throughout the process. Opportunities to link in with fellow DEdPsy students has created a supportive space to share tips, provide encouragement when needed as the doctoral journey can at times be lonely. I hope that these friendships will continue.

Tell us about the research you are conducting...

My area of research involves developing a training programme for teachers who work with autistic children with complex needs on an interaction approach called mediated learning which is a core component of dynamic assessment. Research has shown that the learning outcomes for these students can vary greatly due to the diversity of their learning profiles which makes it very challenging for teachers to develop education plans that match each student’s unique profile. My research explored the benefits of teachers using the skills of mediated learning in their every day interactions with their students that have the potential to enhance their learning activities, making them rewarding and positive experiences for them. While the research was conducted in Irish classrooms, the findings are relevant to teachers and students in other contexts.

What are your future career goals?

As I near completion of the DEdPsy, I plan to develop this training programme further, refining it based on the findings of my research. I would also hope to continue connecting and collaborating with the DEdPsy community, making important links between educational psychology practice in Ireland, Scotland and the UK.

What advice would you give to someone considering applying for this course?

My tips for anyone thinking of applying to do the DEdPsy programme are:

• Ensure you have dedicated time in your weekly schedule that you can set aside for the DEdPsy as it requires a considerable time commitment
• Do some preliminary research on your research proposal
• Arrange a preliminary meeting with the director of the DEdPsy programme to discuss your research proposal
• Most of all, enjoy it!!