Abstract
This presentation brings an overview of the current state of Community Psychology teaching in the UK, and its role within the British Psychological Society (BPS) training framework. Then, mocking a SWOT analysis, it will outline the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of running a master’s degree in Community Psychology in the UK in 2022, based on my experience as Course Leader of the only MA in Community Psychology in the UK.
STRENGHTS. Teaching based on core ideas, theory, and practices from the origins of liberation psychology in Latin America.
WEAKNESSES. Readings are still very Western/UK-centric. Some foundational textbooks have just been re-edited and new ones have been issued this year, holding the promise of more diverse voices.
OPPORTUNITIES. The level of enrolment of international students is good evidence of the importance of such degree. The cohort is always very heterogeneous with students from other continents, and diverse age. This is usually a very beneficial and edifying combination which allows for the group to engage and often flourish from student’s interaction and collaboration, and with some academic staff guidance.
THREATS. The course is isolated in the panorama of the psychological studies and professions. Job positions generating from positivistic psychology are much trendier and ‘important’ for society, such as clinical, educational, forensic, etc. Often, especially given the constraint of university resources and the perverse funding mechanisms, choices are made over closing degree courses, such as Community Psychology, despite their current economic sustainability.
STRENGHTS. Teaching based on core ideas, theory, and practices from the origins of liberation psychology in Latin America.
WEAKNESSES. Readings are still very Western/UK-centric. Some foundational textbooks have just been re-edited and new ones have been issued this year, holding the promise of more diverse voices.
OPPORTUNITIES. The level of enrolment of international students is good evidence of the importance of such degree. The cohort is always very heterogeneous with students from other continents, and diverse age. This is usually a very beneficial and edifying combination which allows for the group to engage and often flourish from student’s interaction and collaboration, and with some academic staff guidance.
THREATS. The course is isolated in the panorama of the psychological studies and professions. Job positions generating from positivistic psychology are much trendier and ‘important’ for society, such as clinical, educational, forensic, etc. Often, especially given the constraint of university resources and the perverse funding mechanisms, choices are made over closing degree courses, such as Community Psychology, despite their current economic sustainability.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 22 Oct 2022 |
| Event | 6th Community Psychology Festival : Communities and the pursuit of liberation: Creativity, culture and connection - Solent University, Southampton, United Kingdom Duration: 21 Oct 2022 → 22 Oct 2022 https://www.solent.ac.uk/research-innovation-enterprise/research-at-solent/events/community-psychology-festival |
Conference
| Conference | 6th Community Psychology Festival |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Southampton |
| Period | 21/10/22 → 22/10/22 |
| Internet address |