Dr Libby Drury

Overview

Biography

I joined Birkbeck in 2017. I completed my BSc, MSc and PhD at the University of Kent, as a mature student.  I am also the first in my family to attend university. I am passionate about equality and diversity.

My research is rooted in the social psychology of prejudice and stereotypes. Primarily my research focuses on age and ageing in the workplace and in wider society. I examine intergenerational relationships, ageism and age stereotypes.

Qualifications

• PhD Psychology, University of Kent, 2017
• MSc Social and Applied Psychology (Distinction), University of Kent, 2012
• BSc Psychology (First Class Honours), University of Kent, 2011
• Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, Birkbeck, University of London, 2018

Administrative responsibilities

• Chair, School of BEI Ethics Committee
• Module Convenor Dissertation in BSc Business Psychology
• Module Convenor Advanced Research Methods
• Deputy Chair of the Board of Examiners, MSc Organizational Psychology and MSc HRM, University of London International Programme
• Academic Lead for Equalities and Diversity, Department of Organizational Psychology
• Member, College Ethics Committee
• Member, School of BEI Research Committee
• Member, Professional Development of Educators Committee

Visiting posts

• Honorary Research Fellow , University of Kent, 11-2018 to 10-2021

Professional activities

Vice Leader, COST Action CA22120 – A European Network to LeverAge the Multi-Age Workforce

Editorial Board: Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology

Co-Chair. International Contact Research Network

Guest Editor: Journal of Group Processes and Intergroup Relations

Consulting Editor: Journal of Group Processes and Intergroup Relations

RESEARCH FUNDING: 2024-28. €245,900. Volkswagen Stiftung. Overcoming Societal Tensions in Europe: Can Age-Diverse Friendships be the Solution? Co-I. Five country funded project, overall funding €1,647,300.

RESEARCH FUNDING. 2018. £15,506. British Academy Visiting Fellowship. Co-I. Being Socially Mindful at Work: A Dyadic Approach to Understanding Intergenerational Contact and Coworker-Support Behavior.

Professional memberships

• Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society
  
  

• Fellow, Higher Education Academy

Honours and awards

• Shortlist - Outstanding Contribution to Student Experience, Student Union, Birkbeck, University of London, December 2018
• Honorary Research Fellow, University of Kent, December 2018
• Social Sciences Faculty Prize , University of Kent, December 2011
• Janet Miele Prize for Best of Year Research Project, University of Kent, December 2011

ORCID

0000-0002-0964-7068

Research

Research interests

• Ageism and ageing
• Intergenerational relationships
• Stereotypes and stigma
• Social cognitions
• Discrimination and bias in selection and assessment processes
• Group processes in the workplace
• Stereotype threat

Research overview

I use quantitative and experimental methods in the laboratory, workplace and online to examine the impact of biases, stereotypes and intergroup relations on individual, organisational and social outcomes. Psychological frameworks I use include social identity theory, intergroup contact, stereotype content model and social role theory.

On a general level, I am interested in equality and diversity issues. My research focuses on prejudice and stereotypes in the workplace, relationships between different social groups and negative attitudes towards minority group members, stigma, bias and discrimination.

I am currently working on three areas of research;

1. Workplace relationships between younger and older workers and they influence organisational outcomes. 
2. Age and gender stereotypes in the workplace.
3. Selection and assessment processes that lead to discrimination and bias.

Past projects I have worked on include;

1. Intergenerational relationships and ageism.
2. Stereotype threat experienced by older adults in everyday life, including the workplace.
3. Gender role models in the workplace and the psychology underpinning the effects of role models.

Research Centres and Institutes

• Vice Lead Work Group 3, LeverAge Cost Action
• Co-Chair, International Contact Research Network
• Member, Birkbeck Institute for Social Research

Supervision and teaching

Supervision

Supervisions within Birkbeck:

6

I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD students who are interested in undertaking research in any of my areas of research interest:

• Prejudice and stereotypes
• Biases and discrimination
• Ageing and ageism
• Female leadership
• Intergroup relations
• Selection and assessment
• Social cognition

 

Current doctoral researchers

• AUDREY MCGIBBON

  Nature of supervision:

  Principal Supervisor, Jan 2022 onwards

• SHIREEN WALKER

  Nature of supervision:

  Principal Supervisor, Oct 2022 onwards

  Title of thesis:

  How rude? Understanding whether older, childfree, working women suffer incivilities in the workplace that others do not encounter

  Description:

  Mixed methods research; a systematic literature review to establish what types of incivilities are experienced by and expressed towards OCWW, and whether factors, such as age, class, workplace culture etc. influence negative bias towards OCWW. The SLR will inform questions towards a qualitative study with OCWW and a quantitative study with parents and non-parents of both genders.

Doctoral alumni since 2013-14

• ELOISE WARRILOW

  Nature of supervision:

  Principal Supervisor, Jan 2022

  Title of thesis:

  Dog-friendly Workplaces: What Works, What Does Not, and What Lessons Have Been Learned

  Awarded:

  2024

Teaching

Teaching modules

• Advanced Research Methods (BUOB016H6)
• Research Project (BUOB042D7)

Publications