Alexandra Hennessey

Alexandra Hennessey is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology of Education at the Manchester Institute of Education, University of Manchester. She serves as Programme Director for the Master's in Psychology of Education, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society. Her research focuses on developmental and educational psychology, particularly the impact of social, emotional, and cognitive skills (e.g., theory of mind, loneliness, executive functioning) on academic achievement and wellbeing. She has led large-scale intervention studies funded by organizations like NICE, DfE, and the Education Endowment Foundation.

Her work emphasizes school-based interventions to enhance pupil and teacher wellbeing, including evaluations of programs like the Good Behaviour Game and PATHS curriculum. Recent projects include exploring the role of physical activity in wellbeing, participatory design of social robots in education, and the impact of cannabis use in alternative education settings. She collaborates with organizations such as the Youth Sport Trust and has contributed to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education and good health.

Key research trends in her articles include: (1) mechanisms of school-based interventions (e.g., working memory training, prosocial behavior programs); (2) longitudinal studies on emotional difficulties and school absenteeism; (3) the interplay between teacher-student relationships and adolescent mental health; and (4) innovative approaches like social robotics in group interactions.

• Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD students on topics like mental toughness in early career teachers and working memory training. Leads projects funded by SEED, Youth Sport Trust, and NIHR.
• Labs/Teams: Member of the Education and Psychology research group at Manchester Institute of Education.