PSY-40083 - Module Specification
School of Psychology
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

In this module, we will explore how research can be used to influence policy and practice in a range of different settings such as education, health, government, charity sector, social change, legal system and so on. Where relevant, this will be done using real examples from staff and also external contributors where possible. For example, staff in the School have experience of working with organisations both in the UK and internationally to influence healthcare policy, policing, educational, and legal practice.
The assessment will give you the opportunity to write a policy briefing in the format used to help Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and UK Parliament staff navigate complex research. You will be asked to select an issue of your choice in one of the domains covered in class and drawing on research from psychology and cognate disciplines, you will write a briefing based on the format of the POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology) Note.

To advance students¿ knowledge and understanding of how research can be used to inform policy and practice across a range of settings.

Intended Learning Outcomes

synthesise and articulate key knowledge and concepts relevant to a policy issue: 1
critically discuss how psychological and cognate research relates to practice in an applied setting: 1
tailor research informed messages to a non-specialist audience: 1

Study hours

24 hours: attendance at seminars
24 hours asynchronous activities focused on seminar preparation and formative work
102 hours independent study: identifying literature, reading and preparation of assignment

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment