BPS Book Award winner 2024

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BSU Professor wins the British Psychology Society Book Award 2024

Wednesday, 15 January, 2025

Professor of Psychology and Science Communication at Bath Spa University, Pete Etchells, has won the BPS Book Award 2024 for Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time (and how to spend it better). 

Taking home one of two awards in the Popular Science category for 2024, Professor Etchells’ second book Unlocked is a vital and eye-opening book exploring the science behind relationships with digital technology. In an age when everyone is encouraged to drastically cut down on screen time, Unlocked offers a nuanced and realistic guide to healthy screen usage, reframing the conversation about how to best use digital technology. 

The BPS Book Award recognises exceptional published writing in the field of psychology, and the Popular Science category celebrates those that make psychology accessible and engaging for a general reader.  

Reviewed by Timandra Harkness, broadcaster, statistician and author, Unlocked is described as "a rare mix of trustworthy science, practical advice, and human stories”. Timandra adds “I’m going to recommend it to all the parents I know, and keep it handy for reference next time I see a scary headline about how technology is ruining our lives.”  

Written about a topic that is hotly debated, Professor Etchells’ book is considered “a welcome counterpoint to the technopanic that screen time is causing a mental health crisis" by Bruce Hood, Professor of Developmental Psychology at University of Bristol.  

While it thoroughly explores the science, Unlocked is praised for its narrative charm, Chris Stokel-Walker, New Scientist, adds that it’s “like a good podcast or popular science radio or TV series: weighty, chummy, quirky and charming.” Adding that it’s "a corrective, providing a realistic tonic amid the doom and gloom.”   

Due to the exceptionally high standard of entries for 2024, two winners took home the prize in the Popular Science category this time. Sharing the award is Monty Lyman for The Immune Mind: the new science of health. This award-winning book explores the intrinsic link between a healthy body and a healthy mind, suggesting new ways to treat disease and view health. 

Richard Stephens, Deputy Chair of the BPS Research Board, said: 

"I want to congratulate this year's winners on their exceptional books. Writing and publishing a book is no easy feat and our awards recognise and celebrate the winning authors' achievements.  

"From academic texts for budding psychologists to books aimed at making psychological concepts accessible for the general public, this year's winners showcase the variety and depth that exists in psychology publishing." 

Pete Etchells said: 

“It’s a huge honour to receive this award. At a time when conversations about digital technology are often dominated by fear and alarm, I’m especially grateful to the BPS for highlighting the importance of a more balanced and thoughtful approach to the debate.” 

Find out more about the winners of the 2024 BPS Book Award on the BPS website. 

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