Book editing award for academic duo

A unique book about the field of psychosocial studies, co-edited by two University of Essex academics, has won a special literary award.

The Palgrave Handbook of Psychosocial Studies provides the first comprehensive analysis of the transdisciplinary field of psychosocial studies.

Co-edited by Dr Julie Walsh and Dr Marita Vyrgioti, from Essex’s Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, and Emeritus Professor Stephen Frosh, from the University of Birbeck, the book is the first major reference work to explore the history and depth of the field and offers a critical evaluation of contemporary theories, methods and practices of psychosocial studies.

Featuring insight from leading international academics and practitioners from a wide range of psychosocial perspectives, the book has won the 2025 Gradiva Book Award for Best Edited Book (Clinical).

With 50 chapters, this state-of-the-art collection captures the field of psychosocial studies in a new way, reflecting back on texts that have influenced the development of psychosocial studies, exploring current major topics and identifying newly emerging ideas.

Dr Julie Walsh said: “I’m delighted to see this collaborative project recognised for its representation of the diverse field of psychosocial studies – a very welcome acknowledgement of colleagues’ important and vibrant work.”

Dr Marita Vyrgioti added: “Psychosocial studies is an exciting and emerging field that uses psychoanalysis to explore lived experience, the ethics of living with others, and more. It is incredible seeing it gaining international recognition because its premise is so needed in our times.”

Over the past decades, psychosocial studies has demonstrated its strengths and influence across diverse sites of theory and practice; it continues to grow as an area of transdisciplinary research that dialogues with psychoanalysis, sociology, critical psychology, cultural studies, gender and sexuality studies, and postcolonial studies.

The Palgrave Handbook of Psychosocial Studies is unique in covering a wide range of psychosocial topics and in being written accessibly from many different perspectives. It will appeal to students, scholars and practitioner-researchers alike.