The Next Generation – Honouring Peter Saville’s Legacy of Innovation and Promise
If Professor Peter Saville were with us today, he would no doubt take great pride, probably even delight, in the calibre of talent represented in The ABP’s Rising Star Award category that bears his name.
Throughout his life, Peter championed innovation, evidence, and courage in the practice of psychology. He believed that the future of the profession depended not only on the science of measurement but on the imagination and integrity of those who apply it. The 2025 Rising Star entrants exemplify exactly that blend of rigour, creativity, and purpose.
Peter understood that psychology, at its best, is both an art and a science, a discipline of evidence and of empathy. He devoted his career to translating robust research into tools that could be used practically and responsibly in the real world. Were he reading these entries, he would recognise kindred spirits: practitioners who are not only fluent in theory but brave enough to apply it in new and complex settings, from healthcare and education to leadership, technology, and organisational change.
Peter was well known for educational exploration so he would no doubt also be encouraged by their curiosity. Many of this year’s entrants have ventured beyond traditional boundaries, exploring neurodiversity and inclusion, wellbeing and motivation, data and ethics.
They show a confidence that psychology must evolve with the world of work, not stand apart from it. Peter was, above all, an innovator: unafraid to challenge convention or to ask whether we could do better. He would have recognised that same spirit in these emerging professionals who question assumptions and design new, more humane approaches to assessment, learning, and development.
He would likely also have admired their professionalism. What stands out across the entries is the maturity with which these early-career psychologists engage with ethical practice, collaboration, and continuous learning. Many are already mentoring others, publishing research, and contributing to policy, embodying the belief that credibility comes not from status, but from service. That is the essence of Peter’s legacy: using science to serve people.
Most of all, Peter would have been moved by the shared purpose that unites this group. Every entrant, in their own way, is working to make working life fairer, healthier, and more meaningful. Whether through psychometrics, coaching, research, or consulting, they demonstrate that Business Psychology is not an abstract pursuit – it is a practical force for good. Their work carries forward Peter’s conviction that when psychology is applied well, it can change organisations and change lives.
The Rising Star Award stands as a bridge between generations: honouring a pioneer who transformed our profession and celebrating those who will take it forward. Were he here today, Peter Saville would see not just a cohort of capable young professionals, but the living embodiment of what he devoted his life to building: a profession that is vibrant, ethical, and continually renewed by fresh talent and fresh ideas.