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Annie Brookman-Byrne

Annie Brookman-Byrne
Deputy Editor BOLD

Annie Brookman-Byrne is a science writer and editor specialising in psychology and education. Annie was a researcher in both disciplines, and holds an MSc in educational neuroscience and a PhD in psychological sciences. She is a Chartered Psychologist. For three years, Annie was Deputy Editor of The Psychologist, the magazine from the British Psychological Society. Annie has been Deputy Editor of BOLD since 2021.

Personal website
NPJ Science of Learning community blog

Contributions by Annie

Do educational interventions increase equality? 

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 20 March 2025
Interview Society Learning & Education Equity Diversity
A group of children are crossing a crosswalk.

Inflated praise can reinforce stereotypes

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 13 March 2025
Interview Learning & Education Development Teaching methods Education systems
A teacher talks to students at a table.

Can personalized learning increase educational equity?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 6 March 2025
Interview Learning & Education Individual differences Diversity
A teacher helps a student with school work on a laptop.

Why schools need to earn students’ trust

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 27 February 2025
Interview Society Development Education systems Education policy
High school student taking notes from book for her study.

Reducing children’s school-related stress

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 20 February 2025
Interview Society Development Mental health Education policy
Children in a classroom

Helping children help each other

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 13 February 2025
Interview Learning & Education Development Teaching methods Education systems
Two children are helping each other with homework.

Creating a classroom culture that fosters a growth mindset

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 6 February 2025
Interview Learning & Education Development Learning environments Education policy
Two students build a robotic car.

Self-views impact educational outcomes

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 30 January 2025
Interview Learning & Education Development Education systems Education policy
An adult gives a learner a high five.

Making child development research inclusive

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 23 January 2025
Interview Development Neuroscience Diversity
Three children stand with their arms around each others' shoulders.

Helping parents engage in their children’s education

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 17 January 2025
Interview Development Education systems
A child learns using a chalkboard.

Culture in the mathematics classroom

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 9 January 2025
Interview Learning & Education Diversity
A student writes on a chalkboard.

The cognitive psychologist seeking to improve children’s metacognition

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 19 December 2024
Interview Learning & Education Development Teaching methods Education systems
An adult helps a child arrange colourful notes in the shape of a brain on a bulletin board.

The critical roboticist designing social robots to promote educational equality

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 12 December 2024
Interview Technology Learning & Education Education technology
A child solves a mathematics problem with the help of a robot.

The cognitive scientist asking how kids solve problems

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 28 November 2024
Interview Development Psychology Learning environments
A child and an adult play a cup game with a hidden toy rabbit.

The psychologist tracking the development of children’s fairness and peer relationships

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 14 November 2024
Interview Development Learning environments
A child explains to a researcher how an excluded child in a picture feels.

The education scientist helping children recognize the mathematics all around them

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 31 October 2024
Interview Learning & Education Teaching methods Education systems
A man and a boy bake together, looking at numbers for the recipe.

The economist asking how education impacts equality

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 17 October 2024
Interview Society Learning & Education Equity Covid-19
A child looks at their crops growing in the rain, and another child whose crops are dry waters them with the help of a researcher.

The cognitive psychologist linking sensory perception and children’s learning

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 3 October 2024
Interview Learning & Education Development Learning environments
A girl is looks out of the window while a lesson is taking place in the classroom.

The developmental psychologist capturing the diversity of children’s experiences

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 17 September 2024
Interview Development Psychology Language
A researcher works with children and great apes.

The cognitive scientist helping kids persist through challenges

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 5 September 2024
Interview Learning & Education Development Teaching methods Individual differences
A woman and a child scale a climbing wall.

The psychologist nurturing students’ positive development

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 20 August 2024
Interview Learning & Education Diversity
A researcher observes how a group of students navigate school.

The computer scientist designing technology that helps kids thrive

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 1 August 2024
Interview Technology Learning & Education Education technology
A computer scientist helps a child thrive with digital technology.

The statistician building data platforms to improve children’s learning

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 18 July 2024
Interview Development Psychology Individual differences
A researcher analyses graphs linked to how children learn.

What’s the best way to teach kids decimals?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 9 July 2024
Article Learning & Education Development Teaching methods Language
Children huddle round a teacher who is writing on paper.

The social scientist preparing children and teachers for lifelong digital learning

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 4 July 2024
Interview Learning & Education 21st century skills
A student learns collaboratively using EdTech.

The experimental psychologist observing how children’s memories grow

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 20 June 2024
Interview Development Neuroscience
A researcher observes a child losing and keeping hold of some memories.

The social psychologist shedding light on inequality at preschool

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 6 June 2024
Interview Society Learning & Education Equity Education policy
A researcher puts a bridge down so a preschool child can enter the classroom.

The neuroscientist building the science of making good choices

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 23 May 2024
Interview Development Neuroscience
A researcher shows children decision pathways in the brain.

The developmental scientist asking “what is curiosity?”

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 10 May 2024
Interview Learning & Education Development 21st century skills
A researcher guiding children through a tunnel on an adventure.

The neuroscientist observing cognition during the earliest stages of life

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 2 May 2024
Interview Development Individual differences
A researcher holds an infant wearing a brain scanning cap with neurons firing out.

The educational psychologist promoting inclusive teaching and learning in multilingual countries

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 18 April 2024
Interview Learning & Education Language Education policy
A multilingual class of students learn together.

The educational scientist showing how learners bring creativity to EdTech

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 28 March 2024
Interview Learning & Education Education technology
A researcher and children in a boat use a fishing rod to catch digital solutions to challenges.

The cognitive psychologist tracing the roots of intuitive thinking

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 7 March 2024
Interview Development Neuroscience
A researcher and a child interact with a robot.

The social scientist using a wealth of data to identify policies that reduce inequality

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 15 February 2024
Interview Society Learning & Education Education policy
A researcher helps children walk up a line graph.

The data scientist putting humans at the center of educational AI

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 25 January 2024
Interview Learning & Education Education technology 21st century skills
A teacher and researcher analyse data captured from the classroom.

The developmental psychologist exploring the forces that shape children’s cooperation

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 4 January 2024
Interview Society Learning & Education 21st century skills
A scientist watches children playing basketball together.

The cognitive scientist asking why learning is sometimes easy and sometimes hard

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 7 December 2023
Interview Learning & Education Development Equity
Children jump over a blackboard of math problems.

The developmental neuroscientist asking why children’s brains develop differently

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 16 November 2023
Interview Development Individual differences
Children paint images of brains with the help of a neuroscientist.

The literacy researcher exploring the hidden senses involved in children’s reading

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 26 October 2023
Interview Learning & Education Reading and writing Education technology
A child and an adult read together, engaging all senses.

The development economist aiming to help children in difficult circumstances thrive

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 19 October 2023
Interview Society Learning & Education Equity Education policy
A researcher plants young saplings next to a tree that children have climbed and are learning in.

The developmental psychologist exploring the profound consequences of children’s self-views

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 28 September 2023
Interview Development Psychology Equity
A young girl looks through a telescope, as a researcher stands next to her.

The developmental psychologist using AI to support parents

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 5 September 2023
Interview Technology Equity
A researcher studies parents who use technology to support their children's development.

How does metacognition help children learn?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 8 August 2023
Article Learning & Education Development Psychology Neuroscience
A young girl thinks while working on her homework.

Do children need phonics to read English?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 18 May 2023
Opinion Learning & Education Reading and writing Education policy
A child lies on the floor reading.

Learning to play

Annie Brookman-Byrne and Gemma Wirz / 27 April 2023
Video Development Learning environments
Characters playing outdoors together in nature.

Learning to create communities

Annie Brookman-Byrne and Gemma Wirz / 20 April 2023
Video Development Diversity
Characters of diverse backgrounds and demographics standing together in harmony.

Learning to notice and connect with nature

Annie Brookman-Byrne and Gemma Wirz / 13 April 2023
Video Society Learning environments
Characters standing in a forest noticing and connecting with nature.

Learning to share concerns

Annie Brookman-Byrne and Gemma Wirz / 30 March 2023
Video Society Parenting and childcare
Characters closely observing a caterpillar as it crawls on a leaf.

Learning to thrive

Gemma Wirz and Annie Brookman-Byrne / 28 March 2023
Video Society 21st century skills

Supporting children’s early learning in France

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 16 February 2023
Interview Development Education systems
A caregiver and young child read together.

“My vision is for children to be able to exercise their right to learn”

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 31 January 2023
Interview Development Covid-19
Children running down a school corridor.

Providing quality childcare in Kenya

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 19 January 2023
Interview Development Equity
Photo by Daniel Macharia, Kidogo

Learning through play and exploration

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 13 January 2023
Interview Development Education systems
Photo provided by Sabre Education

“I want to see all young people thriving”

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 5 January 2023
Interview Learning & Education Education policy
Photo by conzorb on shutterstock.com

Upholding children’s rights in Ghana

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 20 December 2022
Interview Learning & Education Diversity
Photo by Ato Aikins, unsplash.com, CC0

“Quality education is still a privilege”

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 1 December 2022
Interview Learning & Education Covid-19
Photo by Amy Humphries, unsplash.com, CC0

Exploring dyslexia and dyscalculia

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 29 November 2022
Interview Development Diversity
Photo by Maria Sbytova from shutterstock.com

Preparing students for global challenges

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 24 November 2022
Interview Learning & Education 21st century skills

“All children should have equal access to joyful, foundational learning”

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 17 November 2022
Interview Learning & Education Covid-19
Park Troopers, unsplash.com, CC0

“I envision an inclusive and equitable education system”

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 3 November 2022
Interview Learning & Education Covid-19
Photo by Olivia Bauso, unsplash.com, CC0

How can analogies promote learning?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 11 August 2022
Article Learning & Education STEM
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

How can we make education systems fairer for children?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 23 June 2022
Interview Learning & Education Diversity
Photo by Sam Poullain on Unsplash.com, CC0

Helping every child maximise their potential through personalised education

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 22 March 2022
Article Learning & Education Education policy
Photo by Monkey Business Images from shutterstock.com

Our changing understanding of neurodivergence

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 27 January 2022
Interview Development Diversity
Children sit on a wall reading.

A BOLD new year

Gemma Wirz and Annie Brookman-Byrne / 11 January 2022
Article Society
Photo by MemoryMan from shutterstock.com

Educating girls for the future of Kenya

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 4 November 2021
Interview Learning & Education Education policy
Tonee Ndungu

Building empathy for oneself, society, and the planet

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 8 October 2021
Interview Learning & Education 21st century skills
Photo by Akil Mazumder from Pexels

How specific are developmental disorders?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 16 September 2021
Article Development Diversity
Photo by Keira Burton from Pexels

Does class size impact children’s learning?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 2 July 2021
Article Learning & Education Individual differences
Photo by 14995841 from Pixabay

Maths anxiety is a global concern

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 11 February 2021
Article Development Psychology
Annie Spratt, unsplash.com

Do children believe abilities are fixed?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 10 December 2020
Article Learning & Education Development Psychology Equity
Eric Tompkins, unsplash.com

Do teaching assistants help students learn?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 7 October 2020
Article Learning & Education Learning environments
Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash

Closing the digital divide

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 11 September 2020
Article Society Covid-19
Meghan Schiereck, unsplash.com

Hunger at school widens the attainment gap

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 4 August 2020
Article Development Covid-19
Kelly Sikkema, unsplash.com

Working memory training in school

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 1 July 2020
Article Development Psychology
an_photos, pixabay.com, CC0

Emergency-proofing schools

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 22 June 2020
Article Learning & Education Covid-19
Don Harder, flickr.com, CC BY-NC 2.0

The pandemic widens the attainment gap

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 10 June 2020
Article Learning & Education Covid-19
Photo by Evan Dvorkin on Unsplash

What makes feedback on schoolwork effective?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 4 June 2020
Article Learning & Education Teaching methods
Image: Jacobs Foundation

Consequences of exam cancellations

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 13 April 2020
Article Learning & Education Covid-19
Artwork "Park/Parking" by Banksy

Teaching from a distance

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 2 April 2020
Article Learning & Education 21st century skills
Wolfgang Lonien,flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Supporting children’s learning at home

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 19 March 2020
Article Development 21st century skills
Image: Jacobs Foundation

The importance of school breaktimes

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 9 March 2020
Article Development Education systems
Image: Jacobs Foundation

Encouraging gender equality in schools

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 2 March 2020
Article Development Equity
Image: Jacobs Foundation

The consequences of maths anxiety

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 10 February 2020
Article Development STEM
woodleywonderworks, flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Adolescents need sleep to learn

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 20 January 2020
Article Development Physical health

Personalising educational materials

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 6 January 2020
Article Learning & Education Development Teaching methods 21st century skills
Wokandapix, pixabay.com, CC0

Should homework be scrapped?

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 11 November 2019
Opinion Learning & Education Teaching methods Equity

Teaching children about diverse families

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 23 October 2019
Article Society Learning & Education Diversity

Teachers learn about neuroscience

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 17 October 2019
Article Learning & Education Development Teaching methods Neuroscience
Illustration: Mrzyk & Moriceau for BOLD

Supporting school teachers

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 10 October 2019
Opinion Society Learning & Education Education policy
Image: Jacobs Foundation

Helping students overcome misconceptions in science and maths

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 3 October 2019
Article Development Psychology
Image: Jacobs Foundation

Promoting teacher autonomy

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 12 September 2019
Article Learning & Education Education systems
Norton Gusky, flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Fighting for educational neuroscience

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 12 July 2019
Opinion Development Neuroscience
_Alicja_, Pixabay.com, CC0 1.0

School-based advocates for evidence

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 25 June 2019
Article Learning & Education Education systems
Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay.com, CC0 1.0

Translating questionable research to the classroom

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 24 May 2019
Opinion Development Psychology
Image: Jacobs Foundation

Ensuring research informs teaching and learning

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 26 April 2019
Article Learning & Education Teaching methods
Liza, flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

The fluctuation of IQ

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 13 February 2019
Article Learning & Education Development Individual differences Education systems
Luis Marina, flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Bilingual at school

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 21 January 2019
Article Development Language
akshayapatra, Pixabay.com, CC0 1.0

Students contributing to research

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 14 January 2019
Article Development Neuroscience
stuxx, Pixabay.com, CC0 1.0

Creating a common language

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 23 November 2018
Article Development Neuroscience
Andrew Moore, flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0

Teacher research in the classroom contributes to the science of learning

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 31 October 2018
Article Development Teaching methods Neuroscience
Photo: US Department of Education, flickr.com, CC-BY 2.0

School bullying

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 8 October 2018
Article Development Mental health
sweetlouise, Pixabay.com, CC0 1.0

Desirable difficulties in learning

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 5 September 2018
Article Learning & Education Teaching methods Learning environments
GPS, flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0

Thinking about thinking

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 22 June 2018
Article Learning & Education Development Psychology Neuroscience
Lady Orlando, flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Screen time for children

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 11 June 2018
Article Development Education technology
''Nobody likes me', artwork by Banksy

Nature and nurture in education

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 7 May 2018
Article Development Genetics
skeeze, Pixabay.com, CC0 1.0

Gathering learner data

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 16 April 2018
Opinion Development Education technology
Bruce Guenter, flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Precision education

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 26 March 2018
Article Development Education technology
A flourishing brain in a snow globe.

Electrical brain stimulation to enhance learning

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 19 January 2018
Article Learning & Education Development Neuroscience Individual differences
geralt, Pixabay.com, CC0 1.0

Fostering a growth mindset

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 8 January 2018
Opinion Development Individual differences
Virginia State Parks, flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Brain training for children

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 24 November 2017
Opinion Learning & Education Development Education technology
HeyouRelax, pixabay.com, CC0 1.0

Identifying what works in education

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 30 October 2017
Opinion Learning & Education Teaching methods
SciArt by Nora Maria Raschle, www.bornascientist.wordpress.com

Neuromyths in education

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 16 October 2017
Article Learning & Education Development Teaching methods Individual differences
"Maybe, Knowledge will Win after all", by Nora Maria Raschle, www.bornascientist.wordpress.com

Bringing scientific evidence to the classroom

Annie Brookman-Byrne / 20 September 2017
Opinion Learning & Education Development Teaching methods Genetics
markuspiske, pixabay.com, CC0 1.0

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