معرفی
Dr Matt Easterbrook is a Reader in Social Psychology at the University of Sussex, affiliated with the School of Psychology. His work focuses on reducing educational inequalities through social psychological interventions and policy advocacy. He co-leads the School Inclusion Group, collaborating with schools to foster inclusive environments. Dr Easterbrook sits on Brighton & Hove City Council's educational strategy steering group and chairs the University's Access and Participation Plan Academic Advisory Group. His research examines meritocracy's role in perpetuating class-based biases and advocates for updating the UK Equality Act to protect against social class discrimination.
Education and Research Interests: Dr Easterbrook's research addresses psychological barriers to educational equity, including stereotypes, teacher biases, and contextual interventions. He has pioneered tailored interventions to address school-specific inequalities and campaigns for policy changes, such as the #MakeIt10 initiative to include social class as a protected characteristic.
Grants and Impact: He has secured grants from the ESRC, ERC, and other bodies, funding projects on educational equity, political polarization, and mental health. His work with teachers and schools emphasizes reducing exclusionary practices and improving student belonging. Dr Easterbrook also serves on editorial boards for journals like the British Journal of Social Psychology and reviews for global funding bodies.
Labs/Teams: Central to his impact work is the School Inclusion Group, which partners with schools in London and Brighton to implement evidence-based strategies. His team's interventions include self-affirmation techniques and revealing teacher-student similarities to bridge socioeconomic gaps in attendance and behavior.
