Head of Psychology
I gained my first degree in French and Psychology at the University of Glasgow and I was a French teacher and Head of Modern Languages for some 15 years before studying Psychology at the Open University. I followed that up with a PhD from the Open University on “Problem Solving from Textbook Examples”. The research looked at how students use examples as the basis for understanding new material in textbooks or other kinds of instructional material.
My recent research has looked at what kinds of things we can do to improve the experience of students at university. I am also looking at how students understand survey questions relating to their experience of university.
I currently offer workshops to external organisations on creative problem solving and decision making as part of the Psychology Department’s Consultancy and Training Unit.
I have published two books on aspects of human problem solving and thinking: Types of Thinking and Problem Solving. Currently I have started looking at the limitations of our “Working Memory” and how they often severely constrain our ability to think and the consequences that has for very many aspects of human behaviour.
Other references
LinkedIn
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) Open University
- MA Glasgow University
- PhD Open University
Teaching Role
- Cognitive Psychology
- Problem solving and reasoning
Research Interests
- Analogical Problem solving
- Imitative Problem Solving
- Instructional design
- Students’ writing processes
- The student experience of HE
Recent Research Projects
- Visual Passwords – an investigation into the cognitive limitations of using visual images as passwords
- Students’ essay writing as imitative problem solving
- Solving exercise problems using textbook examples
Service to the Academic/Professional Community
- Member of the BPS Undergraduate Education Committee
- Robertson, S. I. (2007-2010). Post-graduate curriculum development & human resources training for the Psychology department of the University if Prishtina, Kosovo. : EU TEMPUS Project €299972.
Recent Conference Presentations
- Robertson, S. I., McMurray, I., Roberts, P., Sochos, A., & Teoh, K. (2010). Research informed teaching in the psychology curriculum: An initial evaluation. Paper presented at the Psychology Learning and Teaching Conference, Edinburgh Napier University.
- Roberts, P., Ertubey, C., & Robertson, S. I. (2008). Application of CANTAB (Neuropsychological assessment) to child and adult populations, : University of Bedfordshire.
- McMurray, I., Roberts, P., Robertson, S. I., & Gaitán, A. (2008, 12-16 July). Embedding the Psychology Degree: Transitions to Employment. Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference on Teaching of Psychology, St Petersburg, Russia.
- Robertson, S. I. (2007). Imitative Problem Solving and the illusion of understanding. Paper presented at the 12th Biennial Conference of the European Association for Research in Learning and Instruction, University of Budapest.
- Robertson, S. I. (2007). Imitative Problem Solving and the illusion of understanding. Paper presented at the 12th Biennial Conference of the European Association for Research in Learning and Instruction, University of Budapest.
Recent Publications
- Robertson, S. I., Teoh, K., McMurray, I., Roberts, P., & Sochos, A. (2011). Research-Informed Learning in the Psychology Curriculum: an initial evaluation. Psychology Learning and Teaching, 10(2), 84-94. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2304/plat.2011.10.2.84
- Robertson, S. I. (2004). Student perceptions of student perception of module questionnaires: Questionnaire completion as problem solving. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 29(6), 663-679.
- Robertson, S. I. (2001). Problem Solving. London: Psychology Press.
- Robertson, S. I. (1999). Types of Thinking. London: Routledge.
Contact Details
Luton campus
Park Square
Luton, LU1 3JU
T: +44 (0)1980 489304
E: ian.robertson@beds.ac.uk
