Dr Helena Bunn
Programme Director - Professional Practice & Placements
Programme Director
Academic & Professional Tutor
Department of Psychology & Human Development , School of Childhood and Social Care
Helena graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Bucharest, Romania. After moving to England, she completed a Professional Doctorate programme in Educational and Child Psychology.
She currently serves as a Programme Director at the University of East London and as a Senior Educational Psychologist within a Local Authority.
Qualifications
- Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate in Family Law, Cardiff University Law School (2025)
- Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate in Civil Court, Cardiff University Law School (2018)
- Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology, University of East London (2011)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Research Methods, Open University (2007)
- Bachelors/Licence in Psychology (University of Bucharest, Romania) (1998)
Areas Of Interest
- Holistic professional development in educational psychology
- Post-traumatic growth in education
- Complex medical needs and education
- Deprived family nurturing and important life transitions
- Assessment – formulation - diagnosis
Overview
Helena is an educational psychologist with extensive experience across the public, academic, and legal sectors. She has a strong interest in how complex medical needs, post-traumatic growth, school transitions, and holistic professional development are all connected.
Helena maintains a professional practice and consultancy while also working as an integrative researcher. This is reflected in her diverse research, where she uses a mix of traditional and emancipatory methods to address practical needs. She also leads group research projects, mentors early-career researchers and practitioners, and consults for Local Authorities.
RECENT IMPACT-RELATED WORK AND INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT
- ‘How Will London Educational Psychology Services Develop in the Next 20 Years?’ (2024) – Helena acted as research coordinator.
- ‘Key Outcomes for Learners in Norfolk’s SEMH Specialist Resource Bases and Autism Bases, Utilising the FLOURISH Framework - collaborative participatory study between the University of East London and Norfolk County Council Educational Psychology & Specialist Support’ (2023). Helena acted as a consultant and coordinator.
- ‘Evaluation of the Tree of Life in Schools Programme in City & Hackney’ (2023) – Helena acted as research coordinator.
RECENT / PENDING CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
- Klopper, J., Bunn, H. (2025, June 2025, June 4). An exploration of the current circumstances and unique role of Educational Psychologists in the statutory process in England. Our London Educational Psychology Community Conference 2025 [workshop presentation]. National Association of Principal Educational Psychologists – London branch, annual conference, online.
- Bunn, H. (2024, May 2024, May 16-17). Self-assessment Framework for Promoting Racial Equity in Educational Psychology Services Division of Educational and Child Psychology 2023. [Key-note Conference presentation]. National Association of Principal Educational Psychologists Annual Course 2024. Northampton, UK.
- Bunn, H. (2023, January 2023, January 12-13). Post-traumatic growth in children diagnosed with a life-threatening / life-limiting condition. A systematic literature review. [Conference presentation]. British Psychological Society, Division of Educational and Child Psychology Annual Conference. Nottingham, UK.
- Zaniolo, A. & Bunn, H. (2023, January 12-13). From Espoused Values to Action: Reflections and Implications for Practice from an Empirical Study on EPs’ Views and Experiences in Promoting Inclusive Education. [Conference presentation]. British Psychological Society, Division of Educational and Child Psychology Annual Conference. Nottingham, UK.
- Somner, L. & Bunn, H. (2023, January 12-13). The Outcomes Project, a Collaborative Participatory Study Between Academia and Practice – Is This One Way to Enhance Professional Practice? [Conference presentation]. British Psychological Society, Division of Educational and Child Psychology Annual Conference. Nottingham, UK
- Bunn. H. & Trevisan, I. (2021, January 14-15). Complex Medical Conditions and Psychological Effects in Children and Young People [Conference presentation]. British Psychological Society, Division of Educational and Child Psychology Annual Conference. (online).
MODULES
- PY8112: Professional Practice Placement in Educational and Child Psychology 1 (Module lead)
SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES
- Doctorate research focused on a small sample of children and parents who have experienced school life where the child has a complex medical condition
- Collaborative research projects focused on the evaluation of an intervention programme (e.g. FRIENDS)
- Organisational change projects delivered in special and mainstream schools
- Research focused on improving teaching strategies and pupils' specific interventions, whilst working in Romania
EXTERNAL ROLES
- Expert Witness - Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal and Court cases
- Chair - British Psychological Society, Division of Educational and Child Psychology, national committee
PUBLICATIONS
Visit the UEL research repository to view a full list of publications.
Publications
Browse past publications by year.
Full publications list
Visit the research repository to view a full list of publications
- Educational Psychology in the Virtual World: A Small Study on Practice Adaptations During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Potential Benefits for Future Services Educational Psychology Research and Practice. 7 (2), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.15123/uel.8q73v
- Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology at the University of East London: Position Statement on Anti-Racism and Decolonisation Educational Psychology Research and Practice. 6 (1), p. 1–7. https://doi.org/10.15123/uel.89124
- The Wellbeing Toolkit Training Programme: A Useful Resource for Educational Psychology Services? Psychology in Russia: State of the Art . 12 (4), pp. 210-225. https://doi.org/10.11621/pir.2019.0413
- Work to be done? A survey of educational psychologists exploring their contribution to special schools for profound and multiple learning difficulties British Journal of Special Education. 46 (1), pp. 53-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12252
- My New School transition to high school for children with special educational needs in England – findings and ideas for practice Support for Learning. 34 (2), pp. 128-147. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9604.12244
- Academic progress from the perception of children with SEND: an IPA study Educational Psychology in Practice. 36 (1), pp. 52-68. https://doi.org/10.1080/02667363.2019.1674250
- A Preliminary Study on Using the “Little Box of Big Questions (2012)” for Children With Social, Emotional, Behavioural and Moderate Learning Needs Educational Psychology Research and Practice. 3 (2), p. 2–18. https://doi.org/10.15123/uel.88718