Reinhard Pekrun stands as a preeminent psychological scientist whose groundbreaking work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of human emotions in educational contexts. He currently serves as Professor of Psychology at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom and holds a distinguished position as Professorial Fellow at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University in Sydney. Born in Braunschweig, Germany in 1952, Pekrun earned his MSc in psychology from the Technical University of Braunschweig in 1977 followed by his PhD from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in 1982. His illustrious academic career spans multiple prestigious institutions including professorships at the University of Regensburg (1991-2001) and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (2001-2012), where he also served as Vice-President for Research and Dean of the Faculty for Psychology and Education.
Pekrun pioneered the scientific study of achievement emotions and originated the influential Control-Value Theory of Achievement Emotions, which has become the dominant framework for understanding emotional processes in educational settings. His extensive scholarly output includes over 350 publications that have positioned him among the top 1% of highly cited researchers in psychology and education worldwide, with particular recognition as one of the top ten most highly cited educational researchers. The Control-Value Theory elucidates how personal beliefs about control and value generate achievement emotions, how these emotions impact cognitive functioning and performance, and how they can be effectively regulated through educational interventions. His methodological contributions include the development of the widely used Achievement Emotions Questionnaire, which has enabled researchers globally to measure emotions in academic contexts with precision and reliability.
As a thought leader, Pekrun has received numerous prestigious accolades including the John G. Diefenbaker Award from the Canada Council in 2015, the Sylvia Scribner Award from the American Educational Research Association in 2017, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the German Psychological Society in 2018. His influence extends beyond academia through active engagement in educational policy development and implementation, where his research has informed practices for reducing test anxiety and promoting positive learning environments. Most recently, he was named one of Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers for 2024, recognizing his exceptional impact across scientific fields. Through his ongoing mentorship of students and collaborative work with colleagues worldwide, Pekrun continues to advance our understanding of the profound relationship between emotion, cognition, and achievement in educational settings.
