Maria Psyllou

Maria Psyllou

The Department of Economics
Assistant Professor in Economics

Contact details

Address
University House
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Dr Maria Psyllou is an Assistant Professor in Economics in the Department of Economics at Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. She is the Business Education Research and Scholarship (BERS) Deputy Convenor and undergraduate Summer Project Lead for Birmingham Business School.

You can follow Maria on LinkedIn

Qualifications

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE), University of Birmingham
  • PhD in Economics, University of Leicester
  • MSc in Banking and Finance, University of Leicester
  • BSc in Mathematics and Statistics, University of Cyprus
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Biography

Maria obtained her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Cyprus in 2011. She started an MSc in Banking and Finance in 2012 and a PhD in Economics in 2013, both from the University of Leicester. Prior to joining the department, Maria worked as a Teaching Associate at the Queen Mary University of London. Her research work has mainly been on the intergenerational transmission of cognitive skills.  

Teaching

  • Introduction to Mathematics for Economics
  • Econometrics
  • Applied Economics and Statistics
  • Advanced Microeconomics
  • Economics of Financial Markets

Research

Research interests

Economics of Education, Gender Economics, Inequality, Labour Economics, Environmental Economics.

Pedagogical Projects involve gamification, escape room games, AI in teaching and assessments, widening participation and female underrepresentation in Economics.

Other activities

  • External Examiner for Queen Mary University of London, 2021-Present
  • Aurora Leadership Development Certificate, Advance Higher Education Academy, 2022
  • Director Academic Integrity Officer for the Department of Economics, 2020-2023
  • MSc Dissertation Supervisor
  • Final Year Undergraduate Extended Essay Supervisor
  • RES UK Women in Economics Network (UK WEN) Lead for ‘Inspire’ Initiative
  • Volunteer Inspire Initiative at the Royal Economics Society (RES) UK Women in Economics Network (UK WEN) co-organising national events with Professor Almudena Sevilla
  • Mentor at The Women in Economics Initiative
  • Discover Economics Academic Champion for the Department of Economics University of Birmingham
  • Co-founder, Co-Lead and Co-organiser Birmingham Economics Education Seminars (BEES) (with Tim Burnett (University of Aston) and Wenyu Zang (Birmingham City University))
  • Certified Manager and Business Educator (CMBE)
  • Organiser and leader of numerous school outreach initiatives, targeting female students from disadvantaged backgrounds, aiming to reduce the gender imbalance in economics studies.

Publications

Recent publications

Article

Suleymenova, K, Dawood, M & Psyllou, M 2024, 'Essays in Economics in ICU: Resuscitate or Pull the Plug?', International Review of Economics Education, vol. 45, 100284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iree.2024.100284

Psyllou, M, Dawood, M & Suleymenova, K 2023, 'Scaffolded Formative Assessment: Fit for Purpose?', Education in Practice, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 54-65. <https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/hefi/documents/public/journal/v4-i2/4.2.5-psyllou-scaffolded-formative-assessment.pdf>

Abstract

Psyllou, M, Suleymenova, K & Dawood, M 2023, 'Making learning happen: The missing link between formative and summative', HEFi Conference 2023: HEFi23, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 11/05/23 - 11/05/23.

Suleymenova, K, Dawood, M & Psyllou, M 2023, 'Perspectives on text-generative AI in Economic assessments', Collaborative Futures, Sydney, Australia, 13/06/23 - 13/06/23.

Dawood, M, Suleymenova, K & Psyllou, M 2023, 'Students’ perception on group work: One size does not fit all', HEFi Conference 2023: HEFi23, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 11/05/23 - 11/05/23.

Conference contribution

Psyllou, M 2023, Escape the Classroom: A game to improve learning and student engagement. in LTSE 2023 Conference Proceedings. Chartered Association of Business Schools, Chartered Association of Business Schools, Newport, United Kingdom, 22/05/23.

Dawood, M, Psyllou, M & Suleymenova, K 2023, Scaffolded Formative Assessment: Fit for Purpose? in LTSE 2023 Conference proceedings. Chartered Association of Business Schools, Chartered Association of Business Schools, Newport, United Kingdom, 22/05/23.

Other contribution

Suleymenova, K, Dawood, M & Psyllou, M 2023, Are academics GAI-ready?. Chartered Association of Business Schools. <https://charteredabs.org/are-academics-gai-ready>

Psyllou, M 2023, Escape the classroom: a game to improve learning and student engagement. The Economics Network. https://doi.org/10.53593/n3633a

Psyllou, M 2023, Taylor Swift's Eras tour: A harmonious overture of the trickle-down effect on local economies. University of Birmingham. <https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/taylor-swifts-eras-tour-a-harmonious-overture-of-the-trickle-down-effect-on-local-economies>

Paper

Suleymenova, K, Dawood, M & Psyllou, M 2023, 'Essays in Economics in ICU: Resuscitate or Pull the Plug?', Paper presented at Developments in Economics Education Conference, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 4/09/23 - 5/09/23.

Psyllou, M 2023, 'Mind the Gap: Inspiring Female Students and Promoting Diversity in Economics', Paper presented at Birmingham Business School Education Conference 2023, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 12/09/23 - 13/09/23.

Suleymenova, K, Dawood, M & Psyllou, M 2023, 'Teaching with generative AI: Bridging the skills gap for future-ready graduates', Paper presented at Birmingham Business School Education Conference 2023, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 12/09/23 - 13/09/23.

Psyllou, M 2021, 'Parental Education and Child Decision Making Under Uncertainty: Evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort Study', Paper presented at Midwest Economics Association , 22/03/21 - 28/03/21.

Poster

Psyllou, M 2023, 'Escape the classroom: a game to improve learning and student engagement', SRHE International Conference 2023, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 6/12/23 - 8/12/23. <https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/#/event/4131/poster-gallery/grid?sort=titles&current=133>

View all publications in research portal

Media experience

Psyllou, M., Suleymenova, K and Dawood, M) Conference Special (Part 1): Development in Economics Education (DEE), Podcast Interview by Dr Maria Psyllou.

Suleymenova, K., Dawood, M. and Psyllou, M. (2023) Are Academics GAI-Ready? Chartered Association of Business Schools, Blog.