Educational psychology seeks to enhance the quality of learning and human development through rigorous research and the effective translation of findings into policy and practice across diverse educational settings and contexts. In our division, we engage in a variety of activities that help connect research to practice.
First, the premier journal in the field—and our Division’s flagship journal—Educational Psychologistopens in new window, provides theoretical and conceptual discussions that help to advance learning and lead the field into new, ground-breaking directions. As an accompaniment, we provide a podcast seriesopens in new window that spotlights articles featured in the journal. The podcast centers on helping listeners understand the articles’ content as well as the potential impact of the articles on future scholarship and practice.
Also, the Division has committees that are dedicated to practice and policy. Our Practice Committee focuses on making stronger connections between educational psychology research and learning contexts. Their practice briefsopens in new window provided evidence-based guidance for educators and stakeholders. The Policy Committee focuses on helping educational psychologists become more engaged in policy development, implementation, and research. Their policy briefs help provide evidence-based summaries for policy stakeholders. Both committees provide training for membership on relevant topics, including how to write briefs for public audiences. We recently launched a new journal, Educational Psychology for Policy and Practice (E3P), as an extension of the work of both committees. The journal is designed to showcase conceptual, methodological, and empirical work relevant to education policy and/or practice.
Last, we host the PsychEdopens in new window section of the Psychology Today blog. In the blog, we provide evidence-based commentary on a variety of educational psychology topics for public audiences. We focus on issues that are recent and relevant to education. Although the commentaries are written for general audiences rather than strictly academic ones, they provide recommendations that are grounded in psychological science. Our goal is to help inform readers using a more palatable format.
To learn more about Division 15 initiatives and activities, please visit our websiteopens in new window.