Learning and Teaching Research Group
Group members
Based in the Psychology Department of the University of Westminster, the Learning and Teaching Research Group (LTRG) comprises a team of researchers who share a primary research interest in understanding the experience and learning outcomes of students in Higher Education. Our research encompasses both qualitative and quantitative studies with a focus on the first year in Higher Education. Recent projects have included the experience of gay and lesbian students and the experience of students from ethnic minorities. We have also evaluated the impact of our innovative peer e-mentoring scheme on both first year student mentees and third year student mentors. We have conducted extensive longitudinal research on the expectations of students of Psychology and are exploring the effects of these initial expectations on student progress.
The LTRG collaborate with other research groups within the University of Westminster including the Widening Participation Survey Group which is carrying out a University-wide study of first year students' health, finances and their academic and social integration within the University. Members of the LTRG also are involved in the Statistics Anxiety Project focussing on anxiety associated with the study of statistics and research methods. We have also worked with other universities including partnership in the HEFCE FDTL4 funded Cognitive Learning Strategies for Students project (with the Universities of Central Lancashire, Teesside and Northumbria) and the Assessment Plus Project (with London Metropolitan University). Current research projects build on this previous work with the goal of producing models of the development of student identities.
