Dr Matt Easterbrook

I aim to use social psychology to increase our understanding of, and ability to reduce, inequalities in educational outcomes. 

I use a range of research methods to investigate the psychological, social, and cultural reasons why some groups of pupils have worse educational outcomes than others.  This knowledge gives us the insights required to intervene to reduce inequalities in educational outcomes, and create schools that are inclusive and supportive to all. 

I have led several large scale research and intervention projects in schools across the UK, including an efficacy trial funded by the Education Endowment Foundation.  I work closely with teachers, educators, Multi-Academy Trusts, Charities, and Local Authorities to develop practical ways to reduce inequalities in educational outcomes.  I am a member of the steering group for the University of Sussex’s Access and Participation Plan, chair a group of academics that offers guidance on how best to evaluate the interventions included in the plan, and a member of the technical advisory group for the DfE’s new Growing up in the 2020s longitudinal survey of educational outcomes. I was a founding member of the #MakeIt10 campaign, funded by the British Psychological Society, to raise awareness of socioeconomic inequalities and lobby for socioeconomic status and social class to be legally protected characteristics.

I engage in a range of impact, knowledge exchange, and public engagement activities. I am a founding member of the team that won the British Psychological Society's senate campaign competition for the project "Psychology of Social Class: UK Policy Implications - POSCUPI - #MakeIt10", in which we are campaigning to get social class and socioeconomic status included as protective characteristics in an updated Equalities Act 2010. Follow our work here.