Ian Hadden

Ian Hadden is a Visiting Researcher in the School of Psychology at the University of Sussex. His work focuses on applying social psychology to address barriers to learning in schools, particularly for disadvantaged groups. He collaborates with schools to develop interventions targeting attendance, behavior, and academic performance. Previously, he specialized in large-scale organizational change, including education initiatives and corporate transformations.

Educations:

• MSc in Behavioral Science, London School of Economics (2014–2016)
• MBA, Cranfield School of Management (1993–1994)
• BSc in Computer Science with Mathematics, University of Bristol (1979–1982)

Research interests include educational inequalities, social identity theory, and interventions to promote equity. His recent publications explore contextual barriers in schools, meritocracy perceptions, and long-term effects of self-affirmation strategies.

Professional activities include organizational change consultancy roles with major firms like Barclays Bank and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He advises on initiatives such as the £200m Department for Education program for disadvantaged pupils.

He is affiliated with the School Inclusion Group and contributes to interdisciplinary efforts to bridge social psychology and educational practice.