My Academic Research

My research explores three key areas:

• How we can use the psychology of adult development to better understand how individuals and teams organise and work with complex problems.
• Exploring leadership as responsibility – the psychological consequences of holding responsibility within a complex environment.
• How we can help adults and leaders to comprehend and work with the complexity inherent to their day to day work.

Here are some of my latest academic publications:

James, C., Connolly, M., Gilbride, N., & Robinson, L. (2025). Integrative educational leadership: Foundations, core concepts and principles for practice. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 17411432251356984. https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/15263/

Gilbride, N., James, C., & Carr, S. (2023). The ways school headteachers/principals in England at different stages of adult ego development work with organisational complexity. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432231170581

Gilbride, N., James, C., & Carr, S. (2021). School principals at different stages of adult ego development: Their sense-making capabilities and how others experience them. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 49(2), 234-250. https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/7953/

Gilbride, N and Biddulph, J (2024). Playful School Leadership: Being serious about leadership playfully. In Empowering play in primary education. London: Routledge.

My Work in Psychology

As a Chartered Psychologist, I’m also interested in the broader use of psychology to help adults and children develop their  agency throughout their lives.

My book “Self Efficacy in Action”, is a hands on, practical guide on how we can help children know and feel they can achieve what they want to. You can purchase a copy here!