George Kinkead

George will join the Department of Applied public policy in October 2023. He is driven by uncovering what works in education and his work focuses on applyingvidence-based approaches in education, psychology and behavioural science to improve wider educational systems. His research will investigate student outcomes in compulsory mathematics courses, situational vs dispositional motivating structures to learning, promoting sustainable attitudes and behaviours, peer influence in environmental education and the wider societal purposes of mathematics education. His doctoral research will focus on applying behavioural science to improve outcomes for GCSE mathematics resit students.

After completing his undergraduate degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Manchester (2009-2012), he trained as a mathematics teacher on the Teach First program. Before joining KCL, he worked as Head of department and Deputy Head of Sixth Form in schools in London and the Southwest. He holds an MSc in Education and Leadership from the University of Bristol (2015-16) and an MRes in Sustainable futures from the University of Bath (2020-22).

Research interests:

• Applications of Behavioural science to educational interventions

• Mathematics education and public policy

• Education for sustainable development

• Peer to peer influences in education

• Applying Social identity theory to foster belonging in students

• Sustainable practices in schools