THE PSYCHOLOGY OF GLOBAL CHALLENGES - 2026/7

Module Overview

Overview
This module provides psychology students with a grounding in how the theories and methods of the discipline are being used to address real-world challenges. In doing so, it allows students an overview of some of the research taking place within Surrey's School of Psychology, and introduces some of the academics who work here.

The module uses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs - https://sdgs.un.org/goals) as an organising structure. Each of the core weeks is focused around the work of a researcher or team, and is framed in terms of how this research addresses one of the SDGs. (For example, work from the Environmental Psychology Research Group might presented as an example of how psychology addresses the "Sustainable Cities and Communities" SDG).

Module provider

Psychology

Module Leader

GENTLE Judith (Psychology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

This module is deliberately designed so that the specific content can change from year to year to reflect the evolving nature of our research expertise and to reflect developments in global outlook or major news events. As such, the outline below is indicative only:

- INITIAL WEEK: Introduction; learning objectives; how to approach this module

- CENTRAL WEEKS: topic-specific lectures from subject-matter experts tied to specific SDGs. Tutorials on assessment preparation. Q&A sessions.

- FINAL WEEK: Group poster presentations

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Reasonable adjustments to assignments are made on a case-by-case basis - please contact the module convenor to discuss as soon as possible and before you start the assignment or in the event of an extenuating circumstance.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy combines group and individual elements and is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the learning outcomes:

Summative assessment for this module is designed to ensure that students can: 

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of how psychological insights contribute to addressing a range of real-world global challenges.
2. Explain how psychological research informs change in applied real-world contexts. 
3. Critically evaluate the role and limitations of psychological approaches in responding to complex global issues. 
4. Communicate psychological knowledge effectively in both oral (PowerPoint presentation) and written academic formats.  

To assess these outcomes, the summative assessment includes:

One group presentation 

Students work collaboratively to design and deliver a PowerPoint presentation analysing  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The presentation requires integration of material across lectures, engagement with independent research, and critical evaluation of psychology's contribution to the chosen global challenge.

To ensure individual accountability, each student will respond to a question relating specifically to their contribution to the presentation and also documenting the group process.  

One individual written assignment 

Students submit an individual written account of their contribution, including a structured explanation of the rationale underpinning their decisions and use of evidence. This component assesses independent understanding, critical thinking, and written communication skills, and ensures that each student demonstrates achievement of the core intellectual learning outcomes.

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative feedback is embedded throughout the module. Tutorial sessions provide structured opportunities for students to discuss ideas, receive feedback on emerging plans and review their work propr to submission. The presentation will support the acquisition of communication and presentation skills, which are highly prized employability skills. Students also have the opportunity to engage with the discussion boards on Surreylearn, and meet with tutors during student engagement hours.

Module aims

• To provide students with an understanding of how psychological theories and insights are relevant to addressing real-world issues
• To make students aware of the research activity taking place within Surrey's School of Psychology

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

Core material will be delivered through weekly lectures and students will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss ideas with presenters. Later in the module, students will also undertake group activities working towards a group presentation that will require them critically to integrate ideas from across topics and thereby illustrate an awareness of what psychology can and cannot do to address major real-world challenges.This will help them to develop an inquisitive mind and become well informed about the global challenges we face as well as understanding some of the strategies we are employing to improve outcomes.  

Later in the module, students will also develop their digital literacy skills as they undertake group activities working towards a group presentation. By critically integrating ideas from across topics, they will illustrate an awareness of what psychology can and cannot do to address major real-world challenges. This exercise will increase employability skills and allow students from different learning environments and cultures to maximise their learning by sharing their own experiences and reflections.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PSYM150

Other information

In line with Surrey's Curriculum Framework, we are committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module contributes to the five pillars in the following ways:

Employability

This module supports the students' employability skills as it will provide information about key global challenges which will be highly relevant to employers. These include gender equality, decent work and economic growth and quality education, all of which are important for robust employment opportunities.  Additionally, during the course, students will work in a team to prepare and deliver their poster presentation. One important lesson to learn when designing a presentation is that it only has a limited space on the slides for information. Thus, the students will need to work together to ensure they have all the necessary content to fully maximise their message and present it in a way that is visually impactful. Additionally, giving a presentation will develop communication skills that are highly regarded in the world of work.

Digital capabilities

Students are provided with several opportunities to develop their digital abilities. They will learn how to use SurreyLearn to access the course materials. They will also learn how to use search engines to research academic journal articles. They will learn how to populate and prepare a PowerPoint presentation designing eye catching, informative and easy to follow PowerPoint slides. They engage with different online platforms (e.g., WhatsApp, PollEverywhere) and materials (e.g., videos) either individually or in groups and will engage with digital technology to document meetings and/or set agendas for meetings. Digital methods of data collection (e.g., Qualtrics) are discussed throughout the module where relevant. Students have access to AI tools through the My AI Surrey platform to enhance their learning

Global and cultural capabilities The main focus of this module is to focus on global challenges. Students will learn about a range of different theoretical and practical approaches designed to address many of the issues currently facing global citizens. Students will have the opportunity to learn from a range of diverse topics all invested in strategies to improve the 'global partnership', committed to reduce poverty, improve health and education and address climate change.  

Sustainability

In this module, which is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, students will learn the importance of designing a world that can support human life in the long-term. The SDGs are a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. Students will hear lectures from a wide range of research conducted in the psychology department to address issues such as gender equality (goal 5), good health and well-being (goal 3), zero hunger (goal 2) and reduced inequalities (goal 10). On completion of this course, students will be aware of the challenges we face globally, but also what is currently being done to address these challenges as we work towards a more sustainable future.

Resourcefulness and resilience

This module will provide several opportunities to develop resourcefulness and resilience and the assessments will play an important role in this pillar. Students will need to be resourceful as they will be asked to research, critically evaluate and present information to an audience. This will be the first experience many students will have had to deliver a presentation and, whilst the presentations will be delivered to a supportive audience of peers, these tasks will be challenging for many. However, successful completion of the task will bring increased confidence and will enable the student to reflect on a positive outcome which will build resilience.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.