Research Interests

Developmental Social Psychology. I am interested in the development of social expectations and stereotypes among children, particularly gender stereotypes relating to academic motivation, conduct and achievement. My research focuses on the gender gap in children's academic performance and how the phenomenon of stereotype threat, social identity and norms may be contributing to this.

Thesis Title

Will boys become boys? Investigating the self-fulfilling potential of gender stereotypes among children

Supervisor

Dr Robbie Sutton

Funding

1+3 ESRC studentship

Conference Presentations

*Hartley, B., & Sutton, R. (2010). Children's development of stereotypical gender-related expectations about academic engagement and consequences for performance. Poster presented at the British Educational Research Association (BERA) Annual Conference, University of Warwick, September 1-4.

Hartley, B., & Sutton, R. (2010). Slugs, snails, and boys who fail: A stereotype threat account of the gender gap in children's academic performance. Paper presented at the BPS Social Section Annual Conference 2010, University of Winchester, September 6-9, and at the BPS Developmental Section Annual Conference, Goldsmiths, University of London, September 12-15.

**Hartley, B., & Sutton, R. (2010). Failing boys: A stereotype threat account of the gender gap in children's academic performance. Poster presented at the Postgraduate Research Symposium, University of Kent, September 21.

*Best 'Early Career Researcher' Poster Award at BERA, Winchester.
**Best poster award at the Postgraduate Research Symposium, University of Kent.

Press coverage

BERA press release (01/09/10): www.bera.ac.uk/files/2010/09/boygirl1.pdf

UKC press release (06/09/10): www.kent.ac.uk/research/stories/girls-believe/2010

Sky News Radio (31/08/10)

BBC Radio Kent - Andy Garland (01/09/10)

BBC Radio London - 'Vanessa Feltz Show' (01/09/10)

BBC Radio 5 Live - Collin Murray on the 'Gabby Logan Show' (01/09/10)

BBC Radio Scotland (01/09/10)

WLR FM – Ian Noctor (02/09/10)

kmfm (02/09/10)

Teaching and Other Academic Activities

Social Psychology Associate Lecturer/seminar leader for 2nd Year Undergraduate students.

I am also involved in outreach work with the University's Partnership Schools Scheme.

Past Research Assistant work:

• Projects with Dr Lindsey Cameron and Dr Sofia Stathi looking at reducing racial prejudice in children through imagined contact.
• Projects with Dr Robbie Sutton and Dr Karen Douglas looking at intergroup criticism, dehumanisation, and perceptions of climate change.
  

School of Psychology
Keynes College
University of Kent
Canterbury, Kent
CT2 7NP
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1227 824071
Fax. +44 (0)1227 827030
Email: Bonny Hartley

Office: Keynes E2.07