Kathy Stephenson BA (Hons), PGCE, MSc, FHEA

She has over twenty years teaching experience initially in the FE sector and for the past 13 years at Sheffield Hallam University. Initially as a senior research fellow working on large DFES funded research projects. When research and education split into two different departments she chose to focus more on teaching and for the past ten years she has been a senior lecturer in Education and, for the past five years, course leader for the BA (Hons) Education with Psychology and Counselling.

Kathy has always gained tremendous satisfaction from watching my students develop and grow and embrace university life. She has a very student-centred approach. Her teaching is based around education policy, research methods and reflective learning. In recent years she has developed an interest around positive psychology, emotional intelligence and therapeutic stories and metaphors. She is a trained therapist in advanced cognitive hypnotherapy, a master neurolinguistic practitioner, and has designed and published a range of self- hypnosis audio CDs. She is currently writing a book of therapeutic stories for children.

Department of Education, Childhood and Inclusion

Social Sciences and Arts

Specialist areas of interest 

Educational policy and social class
Emotional Literacy and Learning
Reflective Learning in Counselling and Psychology

Kathy's research interests include working therapeutically with children and young people, therapeutic stories and metaphors. She is also a member of The Centre for Therapeutic Storywriting which promotes the use of therapeutic storywriting by educational professionals supporting pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Journal articles

Povey, H., Stephenson, K., & Radice, M. (2001). Four teachers talking: social inclusion, professional development and (un)contested meaning. Journal of in-service education, 27 (3), 377-404. http://doi.org/10.1080/13674580100200162

Other publications

Coldron, J.H., Stephenson, K., Williams, J., Shipton, L., & Demack, S. (2002). Admission appeal panels: research study into the operation of appeal panels' use of the code of practice and training for panel. London: Department for Education and Skills: http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/RR344.pdf

Williams, J., Coldron, J.H., Stephenson, K., Logie, A., & Smith, N. (2001). Policies and practices of LEA admission authorities in England. Parents' experiences of the process of choosing a secondary school. London: Department for Education and Skills: http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/RR278.pdf

Holland, M.R., & Stephenson, K.J. (2000). Does the keeping of a professional development profile lead to an enhanced self awareness in newly qualified secondary teachers? A study conducted in a large UK University. http://www.aera.net/Default.aspx?id=284

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Departmental representative for University and College Union (UCU)

Member of Sheffield Hallam Course leaders Development Programme