Professor Diane Houston

Overview

Biography

Diane Houston Professor of Organizational Psychology. Her research interests lie in social and personal predictors of academic performance, processes of prejudice and discrimination, theoretical approaches to women’s work participation and equality in the workplace. 

Prior to her appointment at Birkbeck, Diane was the founding Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Kent and before this Head of the School of Psychology at Kent. Diane also spent three years (2003-6) as Research and Strategy Advisor to the UK Government’s Women and Equality Unit as well as serving as academic advisor to the Women and Work Commission in 2006.

Since her appointment to Birkbeck Diane has led an extensive review of student experience and academic performance (Student Experience Review 2017). She has been responsible for the introduction and development of a more flexible and blended approach to teaching and learning at Birkbeck as well the creation of the Digital Education Team.  In 2019-20 she led a substantial piece of research into the awarding gap at Birkbeck (Supporting Student Success: Addressing the Awarding Gap at Birkbeck, 2021). In 2022-3 she will lead a new project, funded by JP Morgan, which will explore interventions to improve undergraduate student retention and attainment.  Diane is also leading on the portfolio and teaching model strand of the Vision 21-26 Strategy. 

Diane is currently co-chair of the London Higher Teaching and Learning Network and a member of the Universities UK (UUK) Life Long Learning Advisory Group.

Professional memberships

• Chartered Psychologist

• Member of the British Sociological Association

Honours and awards

• Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Academy of Social Sciences,
• Fellow of the British Psychological Society, British Psychological Society,

Research

Research interests

• Theoretical approaches to women’s work participation, occupational segregation and career development.
• Processes of discrimination, particularly sexism.
• Social and personal predictors of academic performance.
• Work-life balance and career consequences of flexible working.

Research overview

Alongside personal research Diane has considerable experience in the organisation and management of doctoral training, and in Government research and policy advice. She has also served on a number of ESRC panels, competitions and advisory boards.  Her research interests are broadly within social psychology and its interface with sociology and social policy. She continues to supervise and would welcome PhD applications in the following areas:

• Theoretical approaches to women’s work participation, occupational segregation and career development.
• Processes of discrimination, particularly sexism.
• Social and personal predictors of academic performance.
• Work-life balance and career consequences of flexible working.

Publications