Having worked as an Educational Psychologist in both Scotland and Northern Ireland, Katharine Forsythe has a unique perspective on differences within the UK education sector. Graduating from Undergraduate Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast in 2002, Katharine went on to complete both a Master's in Applied Psychology and a Doctorate in Educational, Child & Adolescent Psychology, at the University of Ulster and Queen’s University Belfast, respectively. Katharine has recently taken up a new post as an Educational Psychologist with responsibility for new staff induction and continuing professional development, with the Education Authority.

Having completed an Undergraduate degree in Psychology at Queen's University, what led you toward Educational Psychology?

At Queen's, I was exposed to a wide range of cultural backgrounds and mindsets. Initially it was the people aspect of Psychology that I was attracted to, particularly exploring aspects of social psychology. However, during this time I also became involved in extra-curricular activities such as leading at church youth events and volunteering for Nightline, a Queen’s University charity run by QUB students, providing emotional support for other QUB students. These experiences led me to develop a specific interest in developmental psychology studies and lectures.  After my undergraduate degree I then completed a Master's in Applied Psychology, while I worked as an Assistant Psychologist. It was during this role, working with ASD & ADHD children, that I decided to make working alongside children my vocation. I was then fortunate to be accepted on to the Doctorate in Educational, Child & Adolescent Psychology (DECAP), back at Queen’s.

What is your happiest memory from your time at Queen's University Belfast?

Having spent many years at Queen’s I have lots of happy memories. However, what I remember most fondly was, as a country girl, the freedom and excitement of moving up to the big city, Belfast! This was a significant transition for me and living independently, meeting new people, exploring the city, and immersing myself in university life, all contributed to my happiest times of Queen’s.

What does your current job involve?

In my current role, I focus on working alongside recent Educational Psychology graduates, ensuring they feel supported in their new and often busy roles. Despite extensive and thorough training, during at least 6 years of university, new Educational Psychologists can encounter a steep learning curve, juggling their caseload and day-to-day responsibilities. Having worked both here and in Scotland I know that getting to grips with education system regulations, cultural norms, and specific regional issues can be challenging for new starts. Therefore, I feel my career journey so far has developed me well to help these new graduates feel settled and supported within Northern Ireland. I also get the opportunity to attend conferences, last year attending the Trauma Summit, run by the Action Trauma Network, here in Belfast. What inspired me most was that these leading researchers and psychologists use their passion and knowledge to evolve and build upon their role as practitioners!

What advice would you give your younger self, if you were just about to start at Queen's University Belfast?

If I could go back to the start of my time at university, I would advise myself to enjoy the experience but also strike a balance between social activities and academic pursuits. I'd also encourage myself to get involved in more extracurricular activities and programs, both inside and outside of Psychology. For example, I loved the challenge of being part of the Orchestra during my time at Queen’s, but I would have loved to partake in a student exchange or travel program. Lastly, I would tell myself to step out of my comfort zone and interact with a more diverse group of students to broaden my perspectives.

Profile submitted September, 2023