Sarah Mac Quarrie

Biography

I am a psychologist whose expertise lies in the application of research into practice and use this in my position as Lecturer in Psychology of Education at the University of Manchester.

My substantive research interests address the development of materials and resources for use in real-world settings and includes considerations regarding the value of interaction in education (who is working with whom and how can it contribute to learning).

I have a broad background in psychology and have received specific training in research methods in psychology. Research to date has included pupil-teacher interaction and group work in Science and English classrooms and has expanded to include outdoor learning. These projects have been conducted within a variety of settings, including primary and secondary schools, pre-schools, nature kindergartens and botanic gardens; using experimental and observational methodologies. Within each project the development of materials was a central component of the wider project. Recent research has included a focus on minority language education, including the assessment of language related cognitive processes, such as reading, with children who are becoming bilingual.

My academic credentials include an MA(Hons) in Psychology from the University of Glasgow, an MSc in Research methods in Psychology and a PhD in Psychology both from the University of Strathclyde.  My research and lecturing experience includes University of Strathclyde, University of the Highlands and Islands and Robert Gordon University. I am an associate fellow and chartered member of the British Psychological Society.