News

Wednesday 12 December 2007

Top awards for psychology academics

Two prestigious awards have been won by academics at Nottingham Trent University’s School of Social Sciences. Vivienne Brunsden and Jill Arnold have received the first annual GORE/FIRE Virtual Research Institute Award and the British Psychological Society (BPS) Excellence in Teaching Award respectively.

Ms Brunsden’s award, presented to her at the 12th Fire Service College Annual Conference, was for her research into violence and abuse experienced by fire and rescue service personnel. Trade publication FIRE, which awards the prize, has commissioned her to write a piece about her work, which shed light on the psychological and emotional impact of a range of shocking verbal and physical attacks on UK firefighters.

A key finding to emerge from the study was that the attacks have become such a part of everyday life in the fire and rescue service that they often go unreported. Ms Brunsden is part of the University’s Emergency Services Research Unit, based in the Division of Psychology.

Jill Arnold is the second academic from the Division of Psychology to receive the BPS Excellence in Teaching Award in three years, following Professor Mark Griffiths’ success two years ago. The panel was impressed by the depth of support from both staff and students for the quality of Jill’s research-informed teaching in social identity, particularly the manner in which this challenged conventional teaching methods and encouraged reflection.

Jill’s expertise includes the psychology of gendered identity, the portrayal of self in middle-aged women and the psychology of learning and teaching in higher education.

Dean of the University’s School of Social Sciences, Professor Christopher Pole, said: "These awards are excellent news for the School of Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University and they reflect and demonstrate, very clearly, our commitment to teaching and research. Viv and Jill are to be congratulated on their awards from these important and prestigious organisations."

ENDS

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