About
Paul Pope is an internationally acclaimed British documentary photographer and educator based in the West Midlands, where he is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Birmingham.
By exploring notions of identity, community, and belonging, Pope’s photography practice encompasses the beauty of the mundane, the comfort of familiar scenes, and the stories etched in the lives of ordinary people. Engaging with the connections between photography and psychology, Pope adopts authentic picture-taking to convey contemporary issues in social psychology related to identity, community, and belonging—topics he currently teaches.
Regarding his pedagogy practice, Pope has substantial experience and achievement in designing, delivering, assessing, and revising core modules in psychology and demonstrable success in enhancing students’ experiences, academic performance, and employability. By teaching contemporary issues in social psychology, Pope’s teaching makes ideas from a range of core areas in Psychology stimulating for students for whom social media and digital technology are a crucial part of their lives.
Pope’s unique background and experience in understanding the heart of everyday life provide a valuable perspective on photography and psychology. By continuously exploring and refining his craft and sharing his knowledge, Pope makes a lasting impact in these interconnected disciplines.
Pedagogy Experience
- 2019-Present: Contemporary Issues in Social Psychology (Module Lead).
- 2019-Present: Neural Basis of Visual and Action (Module Lead).
- 2019-Present: Research Methods C (Lecturer).
- 2019-20: Research Methods B (Lecturer).
- 2019: Psychology of Popular Media Culture (Module Lead).
- 2018-20: Introduction to Learning (Lecturer).
- 2018-19: Visual Perception and Illusions (Module Lead).
- 2018-19: Visual Cognitive Neuroscience and Art (Lecturer).
- 2017-18: Psychobiology of Memory, Emotion and Motivation (Module Lead).
- 2016-19: Why We Remember Why We Forget (Module Lead).
- 2015-17: Rehabilitating the Brain (Module Lead).
- 2015: Perception and Attention (Lecturer).
- 2009-14: Neurobiology of Psychological Processes (Lecturer).
Pedagogy Achievements
- Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), 2023.
- Recognition for “Always Going Above and Beyond”, UoB, 2023.
- Outstanding Teaching Award Nominee, UoB, 2020.
- Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), 2019.
- Recognition for organizing the first Wellcome Trust-funded Career Development Workshop for Postgraduates, UoB, 2013-14.
- Media Training Accreditation, UoB, 2011.
- Accreditation for Postgraduate Teaching, UoB, 2010.
- Accreditation for Undergraduate Teaching, UoB, 2009.
Photography Experience
- 2008-Present: +450 Photography Assignments.
- 2010-16: +15 Photography Editorials.
- 2006-20: Chief Photographer & Owner, Paul Pope Photography.
- 2006-18: Freelance Photographer, The Palace of Westminster.
Photography Achievements
- Photographer of the Year Finalist, English Wedding Awards, 2016.
- Multiple Masterpiece Awards, Wedding Photojournalist Association, 2013-14.
- One of the First Birmingham Members of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, 2013-15.
- One of the UK’s Best Wedding Photographers, Perfect Wedding Magazine, 2012.
- Highly Recommended Wedding Photographer, Wedding Ideas Magazine, 2010.
- Member of the Royal Photographic Society, 2006-08.
Psychology Experience
- 2006-Present: +25 Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles.
- 2003-Present: +15 International Conference Paper Abstracts.
- 2010-11: Visiting Research Fellow, University of Duisburg-Essen.
- 2009-15: Senior Research Fellow, University of Birmingham.
- 2008-09: Research Fellow, University of Birmingham.
- 2004-08: PhD Student, University of Birmingham.
- 2002-03: Visiting Research Associate, Oxford University.
- 2001-03: Research Associate, University of Birmingham.
Psychology Achievements
- Showed that self-control remedies the negative impact of social media usage on daily life, 2023.
- Found that transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) can improve language tasks when motor demands are high, 2019-21.
- One of the first to discover that tES is brain state-dependent—successful only when tasks are challenging, 2014-19.
- Found that tES can improve performance in tests of attention and concentration, 2014-15.
- Showed using fMRI that the cerebellum is essential for motor tasks that require precise timing, 2009.
- Found with EEG that the motor cortex is actively involved in muscle relaxation, 2008.
- Explored motor control in Parkinson’s disease and memory consolidation in Alzheimer’s disease using fMRI, 2005-10.
- PhD in Psychology, 2008.
