About
Nick Hopkins is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Dundee, specializing in social psychology with a focus on group behavior and identity formation. He has been at the University of Dundee since 1989, after completing his PhD in Social Psychology and working as a Research Assistant in Bristol.
His educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Adolescent groups and social influence from the University of Exeter (awarded 1988), a Master of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge (awarded 1983), and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oxford (awarded 1981).
Hopkins' research primarily centers on social identity, group behavior, and how our identities are based upon group memberships. His work spans experimental research on group identity construction as well as qualitative analysis of materials like speeches. He has extensive collaborations with Steve Reicher at St Andrews University and has conducted significant research on the Magh Mela, a Hindu festival in Allahabad, India. His research also extends to Muslim communities in the UK, Roma experiences, and issues of misrecognition and discrimination. Notably, his work on crowd psychology was featured in National Geographic Magazine.
His research output shows consistent productivity with publications spanning from 1990 to 2025, with significant output in recent years. His work intersects with several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to reducing inequalities and promoting inclusive societies.
Hopkins has received recognition for his work through various channels, including serving as Editor of the British Journal of Social Psychology (2014-2016). His research has informed government policy, notably contributing to the UK Government's Foresight project 'Future Identities: Changing identities in the UK – the next 10 years' and a report for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
He teaches Social Psychology, particularly focusing on group processes and intergroup behavior, at the undergraduate level, and Qualitative Research Methods at the postgraduate MSc level. His research has involved supervision of students and collaboration with international researchers, particularly in India.
Hopkins maintains active research collaborations globally, with projects spanning multiple countries and cultures. His recent work has increasingly focused on identity enactment in various contexts, including religious festivals, pandemic restrictions, and everyday experiences of minority groups.
