Tecola Smith
Educator, PhD researcher, and Poet in United Kingdom, Birmingham
I’m Tecola Smith an Assistant Psychologist, UK‑based PhD candidate in Psychology in Education, poet, and advocate for digital and emotional wellbeing.
I currently work as the Research and Evaluations Lead for TIAAS, Attachment Based Mentoring (ABM), and VERP, where I lead research and evaluation activity that supports evidence‑informed, attachment‑aware practice for children, young people, and families. My work focuses on translating research into meaningful, ethical, and accessible practice.
As a member of the Psychology in Education Research Centre (PERC) and the Future Youth Wellbeing Research (FYRE) Group, my doctoral research explores how adolescents engage with AI literacy and digital wellbeing. I have contributed evidence to the UK Parliament’s House of Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee, helping to shape national conversations around responsible technology use.
Alongside research, I work in applied practice as an Assistant Psychologist and speak openly about imposter syndrome, mental health, and navigating education and research spaces as a reflective, values‑led practitioner.
I’m also the author of She’s My Poetic Philosophy, a poetry collection that gives voice to experiences of trauma, resilience, and growth. Through creative writing, I aim to create space for healing, reflection, and authenticity.