Dr Gill Francis

Profile

Biography

I am a developmental-cognitive psychologist with a focus on research that explores the role of play in child development for neurodivergent and neurotypical children. I work as an Assistant Professor of Psychology in Education in the Department of Education, University of York. I first joined the department as a White Rose ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow (WRDTP - 2020-21 cohort) and continued as a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow (2021-24 cohort) before starting my current role as a Lecturer.

My PhD studies was undertaken at the centre for research on play in education, development and learning (PEDAL) at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge where I also pursued an MPhil in Psychology and Education. As well as being an academic, I am an educator having previously worked as a qualified primary school teacher in my home country St. Lucia where I obtained a Bachelor of Education degree in “Educational Testing, Measurement and Evaluation” from the University of West Indies.

I currently hold the status of Fellow (FHEA) for teaching and learning support in higher education and teach the following modules:

• Developmental Psychology and Education
• Play, Learning, and Child Development

Research

Overview

My research skills and expertise incorporate systematic reviews and meta-analysis, secondary data analysis using advanced quantitative data analysis methods as well as primary research with children.  For additional information about my current projects, please visit my OSF page or Google Scholar. 

My current research interests include:

• Research of children’s play and development in diverse contexts
• Exploring the impact of digital play on children and adolescents
• Investigating support for children with SEND in early years settings
• Disentangling the influence of genes and environment in play across the lifespan

Research group(s)

• Psychology in Education Research Centre (PERC) in the department.
• Child and Adolescent Neurodevelopmental Diversity (CANDY) Group;

Available PhD research projects

I am interested in hearing from potential PhD students who share my current research interests. Do get in touch if your project is on any of the following topics and explores potential impacts on development, learning, and education for neurotypical, neurodivergent, or marginalised children.

• Play
• Play and Genetics
• Digital Play and technology
• Special Educational Needs

External activities

Memberships

• Member of the Play Policy Forum
• Trustee of the Charity Learning Through Landscapes
• Fellow (FHEA) for teaching and learning support in higher education
• Chartered Psychologist and a member of the British Psychological Society