Liz Robson-Kelly
Managing Director
MSc Applied Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology, PGCert Personal & Business Coaching, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Liz is a leading expert in Positive Education in the UK. She has developed several pioneering approaches to early intervention and prevention through her professional practice and research. As a practicing Positive and Organisational Psychologist, she has led Worth-it in its work supporting hundreds of schools and organisations and over 3,000 professionals develop the mental health, wellbeing and resilience of children and young people. Liz is a Teaching Fellow at Loughborough University teaching Applied Positive Psychology and Organisational Psychology. She previously taught at Bucks New University and also sat on the advisory board for the Leeds Becket University, Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools.
Liz was amongst the first people in the world to obtain the dual MSc Qualification in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology (MAPPCP). Her masters project research, exploring how Coaching and Positive Psychology can help vulnerable young people prevent mental health problems was published in 2016. She has since built on this work in developing whole school and organisational approaches to preventing mental health problems in children and young people. Within whole school or organisational approaches, Liz has developed a specialism in staff wellbeing. She is Module Leader on the BPS Accredited, MSc Work Psychology Module in Wellbeing and Work, at Loughborough University. She is also a peer reviewer for the European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology. Liz has over 10 years’ experience applying Coaching Psychology, gaining a PG Certificate in Coaching in 2009. She is also a qualified careers advisor, with a background in training and development, and preventing social disadvantage.
Areas of expertise
- Practicing Positive and Organisational Psychologist
- Teaching Fellow in Positive and Organisational Psychology
- Experienced Coach and Trainer
- Whole school/organisational approaches to positive mental health and wellbeing
- Early intervention and prevention
- Staff wellbeing
- Qualified careers advisor
Professional memberships
- International Positive Psychology Association
- Association for Coaching
Passions and interests
Liz is passionate about system transformation, using applied Positive Psychology and Coaching approaches to create real and sustainable change. Her main areas of passion is supporting sustainable strategies that prevent mental health problems. She founded Worth-it with the aim to collaborate with schools and organisations to develop embedded approaches, that help children and young people prevent mental health problems and promote wellbeing. Liz am also passionate about contributing to the research and evidence base of Positive Psychology and Positive Education, regularly engaging in research projects, writing and speaking on these topics.
Publications
- Robson-Kelly, L. (2018). ‘Is positive education too positive for the UK? Do we require a more nuanced approach to positive education in the UK?’, European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 2, 4, 1-5.
- Robson-Kelly, L., & Ellis, K. (2018). Enhancing learning through Positive Education, wellbeing and resilience. Impact, the journal of the Chartered College of Teaching. 1. Online.
- Robson-Kelly, L., & van Nieuwerburgh, C. (2016). What does coaching have to offer to young people at risk of developing mental health problems? A grounded theory study. International Coaching Psychology Review, 11(1), 75-92.