Dr Joan Whitehead
Position/Status
University Lecturer in Psychology
E-mail Address: jmw3@cam.ac.uk
Phone: 01223 767577
Qualifications
BA (Hons)(Wales), MA (Cantab), PhD (Open)
Profile
A psychologist working in a number of fields primarily concerned with gender issues (see research topics below). She is also actively involved in equal opportunities issues within the University and is serving as an elected member on the University Council. In addition to working in the Faculty of Education she was Senior Tutor of Wolfson College (2000-2004) which takes primarily postgraduate students but has some affiliated and mature undergraduates, in which capacity she was responsible for admission and for student welfare and was involved in the new government initiative to train more doctors via the graduate course in medicine offered by the University
Research Topics
Gender identity; academic achievement, with particular reference to gender issues in both schools (secondary and primary) and at university; motivation for, and access to higher education.
Current Research Projects
Attitudes, gender stereotypes and academic achievement in Year 11 and 12.
Evaluation of the Newton Trust Bursary Scheme and its effects on academic achievement and access.
Predictors of Academic performance in undergraduate and postgraduate students at Cambridge.
Course Involvement
Undergraduate (Education Studies Tripos) Psychology teaching across all years including two specialist psychology options in Part II.
PreResearch methods for empirical research also for undergraduates.
PreMphil in Educational research
Publications
Whitehead J.M., Raffan J. and Deaney R. (2006) University choice: what influences the decisions of academically successful post-16 students. Higher Education Quarterly Vol 60 No 1 pp 4-29
Whitehead J.M. (2006) Starting school: why girls are already ahead. Teacher Development: an International Journal Vol 10, No 2 pp 249-270.
Scales J, Whitehead J.M. (2006) The undergraduate experience of Cambridge among three ethnic groups. Summary Report. Cambridge University Reporter and Internet (15th March) (www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2005-06/weekly/6031/5.html pp1-12)
Whitehead J.M. (2003) Masculinity, motivation and academic success: a paradox. Teacher Development: an International Journal 7 (2) pp287-309.
Whitehead J.M. (2003) Indicators of Academic Performance - Summary of findings. Report to the University - University Reporter (12th February) and the Internet 14th February (www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2002-03/weekly/5913/6.html pp1-23.)
Providing equal opportunities for boys and girls in Whitebread D (Ed) Psychology of Teaching and Learning in the Primary School (2000)
Sex-stereotypes, gender identity and academic success: a paradox. Paper to the International Conference Gendering the Millennium Dundee 1998
Academically successful schoolgirls: a case of sex-role transcendence. Research Papers in Education 1994 9 (1) pp53-80
Is there a new man? Paper to the First International Multi-disciplinary Congress on Men Ottawa, Canada 1995