Dr Sally Palmer

About me:

Sally (she/her) is a developmental social psychologist. She examines psychological mechanisms that help explain when and why children and adolescents act prosocially, and when they don't. Sally is particularly interested in understanding (1) when children and adolescents take action against bias-based bullying and (2) when children and adolescents take pro-environmental action.

Sally applies social and developmental theories of “intergroup processes” (e.g., group identity, ingroup/outgroup status, and intergroup norms) to investigate factors that influence children's and adolescents' attitudes, intentions and behaviours in contexts of social and environmental justice.

Broadly, Sally is interested in how issues of social and environmental justice are understood across childhood and adolescence, and how they can be supported and developed within educational settings.

Sally is interested in how a developing understanding of intergroup processes can shape children and adolescents' attitudes and behaviours in social and environmental contexts.

She examines when and why children and adolescents engage in prosocial action, and when they won't. Identifying these factors are necessary to inform and evaluate practical interventions.

Sally values working closely with schools, young people and community groups to ensure her research has impact and meaning for those who work with young people.

Sally's current research interests include:

• Intergroup bullying and the role of prosocial bystanders
• Children and adolescents' pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours

• BSc Psychology (Hons), University of Kent (UK)
• Masters by Research in Psychology, University of Kent (UK)
• PhD (Psychology), University of Kent (UK)

• 2020-current: Lecturer in Psychology and Education, School of Education, University of Exeter
• 2018-2020: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Psychology, University of Exeter
• 2015-2018: Lecturer in Developmental and Social Psychology, Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education
• 2014-2015: Teaching Fellow, Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths University of London