Research Overview

I have two main areas of research i) neuroscience research into distractibility and ii) pedagogic research. In my neuroscience research I aim to better understand the neural basis of distractibility, that is the inability to ignore irrelevant stimuli. I do this using a variety of approaches, including examining situations where heightened distractibility occurs such as during ADHD or in healthy ageing. I also examine the effects of psychostimulants which are known to reduce distractibility. In my pedagogic research, I focus on the perceived impact and value of different educational technologies, including asychronous forums, twitter and lecture capture.

Teaching 

I have developed and deliver several modules on the BSc Psychology programme:

• Psychology and the Brain (Level 4)

• Contemporary Issues in Neuroscience (Level 5)

• Academic Teaching Apprenticeship (Level 6).

I have also co-developed and co-deliver a suite of non-credit bearing skills development modules:

• Foundation Graduate Attributes

• Intermediate Graduate Attributes

• Advanced Graduate Attributes

I received a number of awards for my teaching, including a King's Teaching Excellence Award in 2017 for Quality Feedback.

Education Leadership

I currently hold several education leadership roles. I am the e-learning tutor on the BSc Psychology Programme and the the Academic Lead for the College TEL Transformation Strategy. I am also a member of the HEA Accreditation Review panel and previously acted as the work stream lead for the Curriculum Design and Development Strand of the Education Strategy. I am a Principal Fellow of the HEA.

Public Engagement & Dissemination

I am a STEM ambassador and regularly work with schools, particularly to encourage more girls into STEM subjects at university and increase access to university by students from a widening participation background. In addition, I have written a number of books aimed at teachers about neuroscience and what it can mean for classroom practice. 

PhD supervision:

Morgane Colom (OU/KCL Studentship): Investigating the neural underpinnings of individual variation in conditioned and motivated behaviour associated with substance use disorders. [2019-2021]

Amy Turner (BRN PhD Studentship): Investigating The Impact Of Chronic Treatment With ADHD Medications On The Neural Correlate Of Distractibility [2014-2017]

Louise Brace (Open University Studentship): Characterisation of the Superior Colliculus in a Rat Model of Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder [2011-2014]

Loes Koorenhof (Open University Studentship): Characterisation of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder using behavioural and neurophysiological instruments [2010-2014]

Grant income:

2020 'Taking education online: the impact on student and staff mental health' King's Together £14,779

2019 'Evaluating the impact of transcripts and push-reminders on lecture capture use and student outcomes in a large undergraduate module' Echo360 £5000

2019-2021 'Investigating the effects of cardio and non-cardio exercise on adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)' Rosetrees Trust £59282 

2011-2013 ‘An investigation into the efficacy of atomoxetine in ameliorating individual symptoms of ADHD’Brain and Behavioral Research Foundation (previously NARSAD).  $50457.75

I completed my first degree in Psychology at Sheffield University before undertaking an MSc in Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry in London. After my MSc I returned to Sheffield University to complete a doctorate in Neuroscience under the supervision of Prof Paul Overton and Prof Peter Redgrave. During this period I became an Open University tutor, teaching Biological Psychology. Once my PhD was complete I moved to Oxford to take up a post doctoral position at the Dept of Pharmacology. During this three year period I also held a Junior Research Fellowship at Somerville College, Oxford and held Stipendiary Lectureship in Neuroscience at Lady Margaret Hall.

I joined the Open University in 2009 as a Lecturer in Psychology and wored on a number of modules, most notably leading the development of a third year sensory neuroscience module. In February 2010 I was accepted as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I established my research at the OU investigating the neural basis of ADHD using an animal module of the condition. In 2015 I joined KCL as a Senior Lecturer in Psychology.