Visiting Fellows case studies
Dr Dorcas Olayemi Adegbite
In August 2023, Dr Dorcas Olayemi Adegbite joined the LJMU School of Education from her home institution, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUE) in Oyo, Nigeria. EAUE had just gained university status from being a teacher training college, and Dorcas wanted to broaden her experience as an educational researcher, to enhance her skills and develop the standing of research at EAUE. During her time at LJMU, she engaged fully with networks in the school, faculty and university, presenting at internal events. Working with her mentor, she contributed to grant applications and presented her research at the British Educational Research Association Conference 2024.
Dr Metin Kockaturk
As a visiting research fellow at in the Liverpool Institute for Research in Education (LIFE Institute) in 2023-4, I had the opportunity to expand my expertise in cyberpsychology, particularly focusing on cyberbullying victimization and coping strategies among university students. Coming from Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa in Turkey, I collaborated closely with Professor Michael Thomas and engaged in a vibrant academic environment that fostered both personal and professional growth. During my time at the LIFE Institute, I built an invaluable research network, participated in an internal event where I presented one of our collaborative publications, and showcased our research at the BPS Cyberpsychology Annual Conference 2024. Additionally, we co-authored several publications. The purpose of my fellowship was not only to advance research in education but also to bring new insights and methodologies back to my home institution, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa. By fostering international collaboration and integrating cutting-edge research from the LIFE Institute, I aim to contribute to the development of academic programmes and future research initiatives in Turkey. I am eager to continue collaborating with Professor Thomas and the LIFE team to further contribute to this field of research.
Dr Tanja Held
In July 2023, Tanja from the University of Bern, Switzerland, joined the Liverpool Institute for Research in Education (LIFE Institute) as a Visiting Research Fellow. The primary goals of her fellowship were to broaden her experience in international educational research, gain deeper insights into the UK’s educational system, and conduct a longitudinal research project on students’ motivation and emotions with Professor Dave Putwain. During her time at LJMU, Tanja developed an online serious game aimed at enhancing students’ motivation and fostering positive emotions in secondary mathematics education. She implemented the serious game in various schools and analysed the results of the intervention, which provided insights into how game-based learning approaches can be used to promote student motivation and emotions.
Dr Daniela Raccanello
Daniela spent two months as a Visiting Professor at the Liverpool Institute for Research in Education (LIFE Institute), the first between June and July 2023, and the second between June and July 2024. Daniela is an Associate Professor in Developmental and Educational Psychology at the University of Verona, Italy. Her main research interests regard emotions at school and related to disasters. During her period at the LJMU, she collaborated with Professor Dav Putwain on research on the role of antecedents of achievement emotions for university students. She joined LIFE as an affiliated external member and attended workshops and research group meetings. The research collaboration and hospitality in LIFE facilitated new insights for both research and teaching practices to be integrated in activities back home in Italy.
Giada Vicentini
From April to July 2023 and from April to July 2024, Giada Vicentini spent a mobility period in the LIFE Institute. Giada was a PhD student in Human Sciences (psychology) at the University of Verona, Italy, and her research project investigated the relations between personality, emotion regulation, and emotions in learning contexts. During her time at LJMU, she collaborated with her local supervisor, Professor Dave Putwain on various projects about emotions at school. She joined LIFE as an affiliated external member and attended many learning activities organised by the university, such as seminars, workshops, and research group meetings. In May 2024, she also presented a poster about the preliminary results of her project at a PGR Festival.