About

I am a Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Deputy Director for Online UG Psychology, and a member of the University’s Mathematics Anxiety Research Group (MARG). My research focuses on understanding the development of maths anxiety, how it relates to educational experiences/career trajectories, and approaches to reduce it. Some examples of this work include exploring children’s (aged 4-7 years) attitudes and experiences of maths and triangulating this with insight from teachers and parents that led to the development of the first maths anxiety rating scale for children as early as 4 years of age (Children’s Maths Anxiety Scale UK; CMAS-UK). I have also conducted a review of interventions to address maths anxiety to provide an overview and recommendations and authored and piloted a maths anxiety storybook approach (as part of a wider research-informed series of children's books) to normalize maths talk in children and to support emotion regulation as a first step to countering maths anxiety. More recently, I have supervised projects that have explored the potential detrimental impact of maths schemes of work for UK trainee teachers and validated a therapy dog intervention for reducing maths anxiety. 

I have also contributed to the development of an NHS-endorsed Maths Anxiety Crash Course as part of our university Mathematics Anxiety Research Group.

I have also engaged in research to explore the efficacy and need for credible and research-informed resources. As an outcome, I am now exploring a storybook approach and other formats as a means to channel findings from empirical work into a directly impactful and educationally engaging format to support primary care providers in approaching a range of topics and issues that impact children. I previously launched a children’s book surrounding healthy eating alongside First Steps ED which supports people in Derbyshire who are living with eating disorders. This project was supported by the Derbyshire Foundation and our storybook resource has been endorsed by NHS England Midlands Children and Young People Quality Improvement Team who recommended further afield across clinical ED services for CYP. The storybook was made available to every primary school across neighbourhood, place, and at system level (district, city, and county) and supported by the five NHS CAMHS ED services in the East Midlands.  

In research, I have explored stakeholder perceptions of a storybook to raise awareness of unhealthy attitudes towards and behaviours around disordered eating/eating behaviours in children. This work indicates that storybooks can enhance the learning experience and provide structure for teachers and parents/carers, particularly in approaching conversations and discussions around particular topics. 

Teaching responsibilities

I am currently a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and teach/lead modules in the areas of social psychology, psychology of education, and qualitative research on our online BSc and MSc degrees. 

Professional interests

Utilising my academic and research background, I am an author of a research-informed series of children's books that addresses a range of current issues and priority areas for children. The series aims to make academic research that is relevant and important to a child’s development accessible for children, teachers, parents, and carers.

Research interests

• Measuring and understanding maths anxiety in younger populations
• Developing and testing the efficacy of strategies to reduce maths anxiety and increase attainment
• Exploring approaches for research findings to be transferred into the public domain through accessible and relevant resources
• Exploring Higher Education Institution staff wellbeing and initiatives

Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology (University of Derby)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academic (FHEA)
• Master of Research (MRes; University of Derby)
• BSc Hons in Psychology (University of Derby)

Recent conferences

• Petronzi, D. (2024, March 12). Understanding Maths Anxiety. Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (Patoss National)
• Petronzi, D., & Petronzi, R. (2024, January 29). Praxis-theory gap: A storybook approach. Teacher Education Research and Innovation Cluster (TERIC, University of Derby) 
• Petronzi, D. (2023, December 5). Maths anxiety and supportive strategies. Blossom4Life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV8FyTX7rOc
• Hunt, T., & Petronzi, D. (2023, November 22). Mathematics anxiety. TeachFirst
• Petronzi, D. (2023, November 10). Maths anxiety and emotion regulation. The Dyscalculia Network
• Soll, B., & Petronzi, D. (2023, November 8). Validation of a therapy dog intervention for maths anxiety. University of Derby Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme
• Petronzi, D. (2023, September 21). Understanding maths anxiety. Patoss Chester
• Petronzi, D. (2023, February 6). Maths anxiety. TeachFirst Maths Hub
• Petronzi, D. (2022, November 10). Maths anxiety. The Dyscalculia Network. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfJe4Oadx-o
• Petronzi, D. (2022, May 13). Understanding maths anxiety. YES@ Areté Learning Trust
• Petronzi, D. (2022, March 16). Understanding maths anxiety in children. Equals (SEND branch of the Mathematical Association)
• Petronzi, D. (2022, March 2). Understanding maths anxiety. Patoss Gloucestershire
• Petronzi, D (2021, October 14). Understanding maths anxiety in children. British Dyslexia Association International Conference. Leading revolutions and creating solutions: Exploring the individual experiences of dyscalculia and maths learning difficulties
• Petronzi, D. (2021, July 13). Understanding maths anxiety in children (panel discussion). Pearson Maths Festival
• Petronzi, D. (2021, May 21). A storybook approach to maths anxiety. British Dyslexia Association International Conference. Advancing dyslexia and dyscalculia
• Petronzi, D. (2020, October). Putting academics into practice. Knights PLC
• Hunt, T., Petronzi, D., & Vione, K. (2020). Maths Anxiety Crash Course. Mathematics Anxiety Research Group (University of Derby). https://marg.wp.derby.ac.uk/ 
• Fido, D., Harper, C. A., Davis, M., Petronzi, D., & Worrall, S. G. M. (2019). Intrasexual competition as a predictor of women’s judgements of revenge pornography offending. Liverpool Aspiring Psychologist Group Annual Conference. Psychology in a changing world
• Petronzi, D. (2018). Understanding Mathematics Anxiety in Adult and Younger Populations. Derby Research Schools Conference
• Petronzi, D. (2018). Acquisition, development, and maintenance of maths anxiety in young children. The First Conference of the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society
• Petronzi, D., & Hadi, M. (2017). The validation and quality assurance of open badges at the University of Derby. Proceedings of the 14th International ePortfolio and Identity Conference (ePIC) (pp. 1-49). Poitiers, France: ADPIOS
• Bryson, D., Hadi, S. M., & Petronzi, D. (2016). Developing badge eco-systems to support engagement in class-based and online learning. Proceedings of the 9th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation. International Academy of Technology, Education and Development. Doi: 10.21125/iceri.2016.0887. https://library.iated.org/authors/Dominic_Petronzi
• Hadi, M., Owen, E., & Petronzi, D. (2016). Quality benchmark for massive open online courses (pp. 8287-8291). Proceedings of the 9th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation. International Academy of Technology, Education and Development. Doi: 10.21125/iceri.2016.0891. https://library.iated.org/authors/Dominic_Petronzi
• Petronzi, D. (2016, July).  Undertaking research in MOOCs. Higher Education Academy Conference
• Petronzi, D. (2016, July).  Open Badges at the University of Derby. University of Derby Learning and Teaching Conference

Experience in industry

Beyond academia, I have significant experience working with complex behaviour, Autism Spectrum Disorder and personality disorders in a range of settings, including primary/secondary education and residential settings. I have worked collaboratively with multiple agencies, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), educational psychology services, behaviour support, language therapists, social services, and National Teaching and Advisory Service.

I previously led a behaviour support program in a primary setting and have been instrumental in the successful transitions from primary to secondary school of children with complex behaviours, including attachment disorder.

International experience

I am an internationally recognised researcher in the field of maths anxiety.

In the media

• Petronzi, D., Fido, D., & Petronzi, R. (2024, March 18). Putting research into the public domain. Times Higher Education Academy. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/authors/dominic-petronzi
• Petronzi, D., Scott, C., Sharpe, E. E., & Petronzi, R. (2024, March 13). Parent, educator, and practitioner perceptions of a storybook approach to raise awareness of unhealthy attitudes towards and behaviours around eating in children. In Winson. C. Compassionate Nature: Compassion, Stories and Eating Disorders. https://chriswinson.substack.com/p/compassion-stories-and-eating-disorders
• Petronzi, D., Scott, C., Sharpe, E., & Petronzi, R. (2024, February 27). Raising Awareness of Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating in Children Through a Co-Created Storybook Approach. FirstSteps ED. https://firststepsed.co.uk/raising-awareness-of-eating-disorders-disordered-eating-in-children-through-a-co-created-storybook-approach/
• Petronzi, D., & Petronzi, R. (2021, May 21). Children’s book launch surrounding healthy eating. BBC Radio Derby interview
• Petronzi, D. (2021, March 4). Charity is backing lecturers’ new children’s book to address eating disorders. University of Derby Press Release: https://www.derby.ac.uk/news/2021/charity-is-backing-lecturers-new-childrens-book-to-address-eating-disorders/
• CELT video based on active learning. (2019). https://derby.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=b0df1e5b-acd5-4f25-84ec-aae900e18805

Recent publications

• Petronzi, D., Schalkwyk, G., & Petronzi, R. (2023). A pilot math anxiety storybook approach to normalize math talk in children and to support emotion regulation. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2023.2214591
• Kumar, M., Jackson, S., & Petronzi, D. (2022). A preliminary study into internet-related addictions among adults with dyslexia. PLOS One, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280555
• Petronzi, D., Hunt, T. E. & Sheffield, D. (2021). Interventions to address mathematics anxiety: An overview and recommendations. In S.A. Kiray & E. Tomevska-Ilievska (Eds.). Current Studies in Educational Disciplines (pp. 169–194). ISRES Publishing. https://www.isres.org/current-studies-in-educational-disciplines-2021-20-b.html#.YbscwslBzIU
• Harper, C. A., Fido, D., & Petronzi, D. (2021). Delineating non-consensual sexual image offending: Towards an empirical approach. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 58, 101547
• Petronzi, R., Petronzi, D., & Owen, K. (2021, February 25). Putting Learning First. Nature News. https://npjscilearncommunity.nature.com/posts/putting-learning-first
• Petronzi, R, D., & Petronzi, D. (2020). The Online and Campus (OaC) model as a sustainable blended approach to teaching and learning in higher education: A response to COVID-19. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 4, 498-507. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPR.2020064475
• Fido, D., Rees, A., Clarke, P., Petronzi, D., & Richardson, M. (2020). Examining the connection between nature connectedness and dark personality. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 72, 101499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2020.101499
• Sparrow, A., Smith, S., Petronzi, D., Wilson, H., Roeschlaub, S., & Smith, M. (2020). Student autonomy of feedback format in higher education and perceived functional behaviours for academic development. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 4, 98-111. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPR.2020060191
• Richardson, M., Hunt, A., Hinds, J., Bragg, R., Fido, D., Petronzi, D., Barbett, L., Clitherow, T., & White, M. (2019). An Affective Measure of Nature Connectedness for Children and Adults: Validation, Performance and Insights. Psychology of Sustainability and Sustainable Development, 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11123250
• Fido, D., Harper, C. A., Davis, M. A., Petronzi, D., & Worrall, S. (2018). Intrasexual Competition as a Predictor of Women’s Judgments of Revenge Pornography Offending. Sexual Abuse. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063219894306
• Petronzi, D., Staples, P., Sheffield, D., & Hunt, T.E. (2019). Acquisition, development and maintenance of maths anxiety in young children. In I. Mammarella., S. Caviola., & A. Dowker (Eds), Mathematics anxiety: What is known and what is still to be understood. London: Routledge
• Petronzi, D., Staples, P., Sheffield, D., Hunt, T., & Fitton-Wilde, S. (2018). Further development of the children’s mathematics anxiety scale UK (CMAS-UK) for ages 4-7 years, Educational Studies in Mathematics, 1-19
• Petronzi, D., Staples, P., Sheffield, D., Hunt, T., & Fitton-Wilde, S. (2017). Numeracy apprehension in young children: Insights from children aged 4-7 years and primary care providers. Psychology and Education, 54(3), 1-26. http://psychologyandeducation.net/pae/index.php/pae/Vol_54_No_3_fall_2017
• Petronzi, D., Hadi, S. M. (2016). Exploring the factors associated with MOOC engagement, retention, and the wider benefits for learners. European Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 19, 129-146. https://doi.org/10.1515/eurodl-2016-0011
• Richardson, M., Sheffield, D., Harvey, C., & Petronzi, D. (2015). The impact of children’s connection to nature. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Courses

• Psychology BSc (Hons) (online)