Oyenola, Tolu; (2024) What are the experiences of established educational psychologists from racialised minority backgrounds in the educational psychology profession? Doctoral thesis (D.Ed.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Aim: The educational psychology profession aims to become an organisation that challenges structural racism. However, there exists no academic research that explores the experiences of established racialised minority educational psychologists (EPs). Critical race theory is used to foreground the experiences of racialised minority EPs, with the hope the findings can contribute to the debates about creating a more inclusive and anti-racist practice. Method: Purposive sampling was used to recruit eight qualified Black and Asian educational psychologists who practiced for a minimum of three years. Using the River of Life activity and semi-structured interviews, participants shared their experiences reflecting on their multiple identities and how it interfaced with their career path and aspirations. Critical race theory methodology was used to elicit and analyse the data (Solórzano & Yosso, 2002). The resulting data was grouped into themes highlighting the shared and unique experiences of the participants (Saldana, 2021). Results: The findings revealed the intersectional interplay between participants' personal and professional identities and how it was shaped by both the personal and professional context. CRT analysis revealed how racism manifested across different systems and how inequality was maintained. Results also revealed the agentic ways in which racialised minorities navigated the profession, resisted oppression, and reconstructed the profession. Conclusions: The study elucidated the varied experiences of racialised minorities EPs and their experiences of finding opportunities, facing challenges, resisting and navigating challenges and how they reconstructed EP practice. Further, it provides evidence of the way in which racism is maintained in the profession and its impact. By highlighting the experiences of racialised minorities, a range of important implications and strategies are suggested.

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