Self and Social Identity in Educational Contexts

This innovative volume integrates social identity theory with research on teaching and education to shed new and fruitful light on a variety of different of pedagogical concerns and practices. It brings together researchers at the cutting edge of new developments, and with a wealth of teaching and research experience.

This work in this volume will have a significant impact in two main ways. First and foremost, the social identity theory analysis applied will provide the theoretical and empirical platform for the development of new and creative forms of practice in educational settings. Just as the application of this theory has made significant contributions in organizational and health settings, a similar benefit will accrue for conceptual and practical developments that can benefit learners and educators – from small learning groups to larger institutional settings - and in the development of professional identities that reach beyond the classroom. It demonstrates the potential of applying the insights of social identity theory in education contexts and will stimulate increased research activity and interest in this domain around the themes developed in the book.

The three key concepts in the title – self, social identity, and education – capture the focus, integration and novelty of the volume, which investigates with unprecedented clarity the social and psychological processes by which learning and teaching are shaped and enhanced by the variety of learners’ personal and social self-concepts.

Self, Social Identity and Education will appeal to advanced students and researchers in education, psychology and social identity theory. It will also be of immense value to educational leaders and practitioners, particularly at tertiary level.

Ken Mavor is a lecturer in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews, UK.

Michael J. Platow is a professor of psychology at the Australian National University.

Boris Bizumic is a senior lecturer in psychology at the Australian National University.