The role of emotion and cognition in learning

Dr Florence Gabriel, University of South Australia (Australia)

Tuesday 26 March 2024, 14.20-16.20, Education Building 602

Over the last three decades, a large body of research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience has consistently shown that emotions can influence cognitive processes. The first half of this presentation will delineate emotions as complex psychological states influencing behaviour and cognition and scrutinise their role in the learning process. The second half of the presentation will zero in on a specific example - mathematics anxiety. Maths anxiety is a pervasive phenomenon that has garnered considerable attention in the fields of psychology and education. I will discuss the root causes of maths anxiety, including executive function impairment, stereotype threat, as well as parents and teachers’ own maths anxiety. I will also present evidence-based strategies to identify and tackle mathematics anxiety in educational settings.

Short bio

Dr Florence Gabriel is an Enterprise Fellow in Education Futures and a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning at the University of South Australia (UniSA). She completed her PhD in educational neuroscience and psychology at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and the University of Cambridge. Prior to joining UniSA, Dr Gabriel worked as a policy analyst with the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills, where she made significant contributions to the development of the OECD Learning Compass 2030.

Dr Gabriel's research centres on exploring the intricate interplay of cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and affective factors that shape students' learning processes and influence their academic achievement. Her particular interests lie in investigating mathematics anxiety, self-regulated learning, and digital learning. With her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to advancing the future of education, Dr Gabriel is dedicated to shedding light on innovative strategies and practices that foster effective learning environments.