My academic curriculum vitae. Please feel free to contact me: Dr Simon Bignell BA(Hons), PhD, CPsychol, SFHEA Department of Life Sciences College of Life and Natural Sciences University of Derby, UK +44 (0)1332 593043 S.Bignell@derby.ac.uk / Simon.Bignell@mychildservices.com

1. Curriculum Vitae
Dr Simon Bignell BA(Hons), PhD,
CPsychol, SFHEA
Department of Life Sciences
College of Life and Natural Sciences
University of Derby, UK
+44 (0)1332 593043
S.Bignell@derby.ac.uk / Simon.Bignell@mychildservices.com
Biography
Dr Simon Bignell is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, Senior Fellow of the Higher
Education Academy, and Senior Lecturer in Psychology at University of Derby, UK. His research interests include
Autism, ADHD, Cyberpsychology, and Technology-Enhanced Learning. He has led several innovative funded
projects within online virtual worlds, conducted pedagogical and developmental research looking at the language
skills of children with conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. He has been nominated for the
UK’s Times Higher Education ‘Most Innovative Teacher of the Year’ Award and is committed to pushing the
boundaries of innovation in learning in Higher Education. His research is regularly featured on the BBC, ITV, and
CNN. He has won several research grants (e.g. JISC, HEA) and published in academic books, journals (e.g. BJEP,
BJDP) and encyclopaedias and given invited keynote lectures at British and international conferences. Other
responsibilities have included external reviewer of grants and papers, academic examiner and moderator, and
Associate Editor for the British Psychological Society’s monthly magazine The Psychologist. He is a Joint Director of
MyChild Services Ltd, a private Educational Psychology company providing locum services to local authorities,
parents, and schools.
Current Positions
Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Derby, UK
Managing Director of MyChild Services Ltd
Qualifications
PhD Psychology – University of Essex awarded in 2011. “An Investigation of Children’s Language Skills and
Executive Function in Relation to Inattentiveness and Hyperactivity.”
BA (Hons) Psychology – University of Sussex awarded in 2001.
Employment History
Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Derby, 2013-Present.
Lecturer in Psychology, University of Derby, 2006-2013.
Senior Research Officer (Part-time contract), University of Essex, 2004.
Temporary Lecturer (Part-time contract), University of Essex, 2005.

2. Temporary Lecturer (Part-time contract), London South Bank University, 2005.
Associate Lecturer, The Open University, 2005-2007.
Academic Assistant (Psychology Residential Schools, Part-time contract), The Open University, 1999-2005.
Membership of Professional Bodies / Associations
Chartered Member of The British Psychological Society.
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Member of the Cognitive Psychology Section, The British Psychological Society.
Member of the Developmental Psychology Section, The British Psychological Society.
Selected Publications
Parson, V. & Bignell, S. (In Print). Problem-Based Learning in a Virtual World: is it a valid tool for learning? Online
Learning.
Bignell, S., & Bignell, F. (in Prep - 2017). Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD. MyChild Services: Nottinghamshire: UK.
Palasinski, M. & Bignell, S. (2014). Seeking Patterns of Digital Deception (pp. 259-267). In M. Khosorow-Pour (Eds.),
Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Hershey, IGI Global.
Cain, K., & Bignell, S. (2014). Reading and listening comprehension and their relation to inattention and
hyperactivity. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 84(1), 108-124.
Bignell, S. (2013). Keele University, Keele, UK. ‘Student Action for Sustainability Conference’, 2013. Title: Using
Online Virtual Worlds to Engage with Students on Sustainability and Pro-Environmental Behaviour.
Bignell, S.J. (2013). De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. ‘First Annual Cyberpsychology Conference’, 2013. Title:
3D virtual avatars and Machinima to educate students about sustainability.
Bignell, S. (2013). University of Idaho Auditorium, Second Life Online Conference. ‘Virtual Worlds Best Practice in
Education (VWBPE) 2013’. Title: Using Second Life Avatars and Machinima to Introduce Sustainability into
the University Curriculum: Evidence from Two Funded Pro-Environmental Behaviour Studies.
Bignell, S. (2013). University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK. ‘Social Networking in Cyberspace
(SNIC2013) 2013’. Title: Sustainability education using an online virtual world: The PREVIEW-Sustain
project.
Bignell, S. (2013). University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK. ‘Social Networking in Cyberspace
(SNIC2013) 2013’. Title: Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace: Tools, Techniques &
Technology in Multi-User Virtual World Education.
Bignell, S. (2013). Buxton Campus, University of Derby. ‘Learning, Teaching and Assessment Conference (LTA)
2013’. Title: Using 3D Virtual Avatars to stimulate Pro-environmental Behaviour through the Curriculum:
Engaging Students on Sustainability in Times of Change. With Zaheer Hussain & Rosemary Horry.
Parson, V. & Bignell, S. (2011). Using problem-based learning within 3D virtual worlds, in Hinrichs, R and Wankel, C
(Eds), Transforming Virtual World Learning: Cutting-edge technologies in higher education, Vol. 4, pp.
245–265. Emerald Group Publishing Limited: Teynampet, India.
Parson, V. & Bignell, S. (2011). Using Problem-Based Learning within 3D Virtual Worlds. In: 3D Virtual World
Learning Handbook. Cutting-edge Technologies in Higher Education (4). Emerald Group Publishing
Limited, pp. 241-261. ISBN 978-1-78052-052-0

3. Bignell, S. (2010). Developing Innovative Problem-based Teaching in Virtual Worlds. Proceedings of Making Sense
of Virtual Worlds Conference. Magleaas, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Bignell, S. (2010). Technology enriched problem-based learning in a 3D multi-user virtual world. Proceedings of
Cyberpsychology & Computing Psychology 2010 (CyComp 2010). University of Bolton, UK.
Bignell, S. & Parson, V. (2010). Psychology Learning and Teaching in Virtual Worlds: the PREVIEW-Psych project.
Proceedings of the Psychology Learning and Teaching Conference (PLAT2010). Edinburgh Napier
University, UK.
Bignell, S. & Parson, V. (2010). Best Practices in Virtual Worlds Teaching. York, Higher Education Academy
Psychology Network. (40 pages). Downloadable at http://previewpsych.org/?page_id=187
Bignell, S. (2009). Psychology on Second Life? Learning, Support and Research in 3D Online Multi-user Virtual
Environments. Keynote Lecture at McCord Museum. International Conference on the Use of the Internet
in Mental Health, McGill University, Canada.
Bignell, S. (2008). Social Communication Skills of people diagnosed with Autism and Asperger’s in 3D Multi-User
Virtual Worlds. Researching Learning in Virtual Environments 2008, The Open University, UK.
Bignell, S. (2008). Good practice: Giving talks, seminars and teaching in 3D Multi-user virtual environments.
National Workshop on Learning in Immersive Worlds 2008, Coventry University, UK.
Bignell, S. (2008). Blended Learning with 3D Environments. Massively Multi Learner Workshop 2008, Anglia Ruskin
University, UK.
Bignell, S. (2008). Teaching and Learning in 3D Multi-User Virtual Worlds. Psychology Learning and Teaching 2008,
HEA-Psychology Network, University of York, UK.
Bignell, S. (2008). Experience, Enthusiasm and Beliefs about the Effectiveness of Online Psychology Teaching.
Poster presented at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Bignell, S. & Cain, K. (2007). Pragmatic aspects of communication and language comprehension in groups of
children differentiated by teacher ratings of inattention and hyperactivity. British Journal of
Developmental Psychology. 25(4), 499-512.
Markers of Esteem
Lead Academic and Author of “Understanding Autism, Asperger’s & ADHD” Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
(2016) - College of Life and Natural Sciences, Academic Innovation Hub, University of Derby Online.
Peer Reviewer for: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; British Journal of Clinical
Psychology; British Journal of Educational Psychology; British Journal of Developmental Psychology;
Journal of Child Health Care; Journal of Virtual Worlds Research; Psychology Teaching Review; Economic
and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Guest Editor for Journal of Virtual Worlds Research: Theme: 3D Virtual Worlds for Health and Healthcare. (2009).
Vol. 2, Iss. 2.
Additional Author in Braisby, N.R. & Gellatly, A.R.H. (Eds.) (2005). Cognitive Psychology. London, Oxford University
Press.
Associate Editor - Conferences, The Psychologist, The British Psychological Society.
University of Essex Sports Award - Full Colours - In recognition of outstanding performance in the sport of Fencing.
President of Club and First Team (Epee).
Invited Panel Member for The Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) Conference.

4. Invited Panel Member for International Conference on the Use of the Internet in Mental Health, McGill University,
Canada.
Certificate in Counselling Skills in the Development of Learning. RSA (Royal Society of the Arts).
Details of Grants, Awards, Presentations, Charitable Work and Personal References are available upon request