Luan's Profile
Job title
Lecturer in Psychology
Academic qualifications
PhD in Education, DPhil in Psychology, MSc in Psychology, PGCert in Teaching and Learning in Higher and Professional Education, PGCert in Institutional Psycho-pedagogy, BSc (Hons) in Psychology
"Having worked in Portugal, the UK, Finland, and Brazil, I bring a global perspective to promoting inclusion and learning for all students in schools and universities, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds."
I’m a Chartered Psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society, specialised in psychology of education. At UCB, I teach and conduct research on developmental psychology, gender and sexuality, psychoanalysis, and childhood. My teaching is informed by nearly a decade of professional experience as a psychologist working in education and inclusion in Brazil, where I also ran a Counselling practice. Additionally, I’ve had a global academic career spanning Portugal, the UK, Finland and Brazil. My work has consistently focused on promoting inclusion and learning among students and families from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds, with particular attention to the recognition, respect, and protection of the LGBTIQI+ community across different countries. I use he/him pronouns.
At UCB, I teach on the BSc Psychology course, as well as the MSc Psychology conversion course, and give guest lectures in other programmes in the School of Health, Life Sciences, and Health. My teaching approach integrates psychological theories with practical applications, emphasising real-world issues such as child and youth behaviour, family dynamics, public policies, migration, and inclusive education. I value the close interactions afforded by smaller groups at UCB, which allow me to engage with and support students individually.
My work has been published widely (see details here), and I’ve received several awards and funding to undertake national and international studies and research, and to organise international symposia and research placements. As an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, I contribute to research projects and also carry out guest lectures. Additionally, I serve as an editor and reviewer for academic journals, and as a PhD examiner in both Brazil and the UK, and I’m also a Fellow of Advance HE and a member and co-convenor of the British Educational Research Association. However, the most meaningful recognition of my work has come not from publications or awards, but from moments when children and families show their happiness and appreciation for supporting their learning and development.
My work is underpinned by my belief that the psychology of education is not about “fixing” students, but about identifying and addressing the barriers that hinder learning and development. It’s my view that all individuals can learn, despite having different learning styles and dealing with different challenges.
My advice for new students is to work on their time management early on, start assignments as soon as they can, keep an open line of communication with tutors, and never be afraid to ask for help. My cultural background and global identity are important factors in how I create an inclusive learning environment in which all of my students feel represented and supported.
In my spare time, I enjoy going to the cinema and I regularly attend art exhibitions, museums, and film festivals. Also, as a big fan of super heroes, you can often find me reading comics or watching films and series. Finally, I also volunteer for a human rights organisation.