Elizabeth Todd

Elizabeth Sarah Todd
Alma materNewcastle University
Scientific career
InstitutionsNewcastle University
ThesisThe problematic of partnership in the assessment of special educational needs (2000)

Elizabeth Sarah Todd is a British psychologist who is Professor of Educational Inclusion and Director of the Institute for Social Science at Newcastle University. She has studied the interaction between schools and their local communities, and how young people engage with societal agendas. She was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in 2020 and appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2025 New Year Honours.

Early life and education

Todd studied psychology as an undergraduate. One of her master's degree placements was in Edinburgh, where she worked with Jimmy Boyle on projects that help people reintegrate into society following time in prison. She worked as a mathematics teacher at the St Paul's Catholic College, and as an educational psychologist with the local authorities of Northumberland and Tyneside, developing video interaction guidance to improve connections between people.[1] Todd eventually returned to academia to complete her doctoral research.[2] She earned her doctorate in education, researching assessment in special education needs.[3]

Research and career

Todd was a lecturer at the University of the South Pacific, where she worked in critical education psychology. She trained teachers from Pacific Island countries.[4] At Newcastle University, Todd serves as Director of the Institute for Social Science.[5]

Todd was involved with the Children North East's Poverty Proofing scheme, which investigated and attempted to eliminate the impact of poverty on school-aged children. She developed Tyne and Wear Citizens, a chapter of Citizens UK, which advocated for a real living wage.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Todd became interested in the experiences of young people and the impact for children in poverty.[6][7] She studied the experiences of children aged 5 to 18, and found that children missed their friends and worried about families.[7][8]

Awards and honours

Selected publications

  • ; Steven Higgins (June 1998). "Powerlessness in Professional and Parent Partnerships". British Journal of Sociology of Education. 19 (2): 227–236. doi:10.1080/0142569980190205. ISSN 0142-5692. Wikidata Q132399378.
  • Cummings, Colleen; Dyson, Alan; Liz, Todd. Beyond the School Gates: Can Full Service and Extended Schools Overcome Disadvantage?. Routledge. p. 152. ISBN 9780415548755. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  • Alan Dyson; (15 June 2010). "Dealing with complexity: theory of change evaluation and the full service extended schools initiative". International Journal of Research and Method in Education. 33 (2): 119–134. doi:10.1080/1743727X.2010.484606. ISSN 1743-727X. Wikidata Q111205317.

References

  1. ^ "Staff Profile | Institute for Social Science | Newcastle University". Newcastle University. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b "New Year Honours for Newcastle University community". Press Office. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  3. ^ "The problematic of partnership in the assessment of special educational needs". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  4. ^ Todd, Liz (1 January 2018). "Imagining methodology: Doing educational leadership research differently". Management in Education. 32 (1): 50–52. doi:10.1177/0892020617748154. ISSN 0892-0206.
  5. ^ "Core Team". Newcastle University. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  6. ^ "Liz Todd | Institute for Social Science | Newcastle University". Newcastle University. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  7. ^ a b Jenkins, Billie (25 October 2022). "Voices Report: The true impact of the pandemic for Children in poverty". Children North East. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  8. ^ Swindells, Katharine (14 October 2022). "Exclusive: how Covid-19 shook Britain's children – in their words". New Statesman. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  9. ^ Sciences, Academy of Social (6 January 2025). "Academy Fellows recognised in 2025 New Year Honours". Academy of Social Sciences. Retrieved 12 January 2025.