Applied Sciences Groups

The University's School of Applied Sciences has the following Research Groups:

Brain Mind and Behaviour

Research in cognitive neuroscience is becoming increasingly important. The Brain Mind and Behaviour Research Group is using LSBU’s newly set up Electroencephalography (EEG) lab, in combination with behavioural (performance and eye-tracking) and physiological (e.g. heart rate, galvanic skin response) measures, to gain new insights into the fine grained neural mechanisms of cognition and thus, enable the development of more accurate predictive models of behaviour.

Developmental Cognition

Head: Dr Jamie Smith-Spark

The group investigates the development of neurotypical and non-neurotypical cognition from infancy into adulthood. Members have expertise and research interests in autism, developmental dyslexia, developmental coordination disorder, specific language impairment and William’s Syndrome and will work to explore the impact of these conditions on executive functions, numerical cognition, and a range of memory systems.

Food, Nutrition and Health

Head: Dr Adam Cunliffe

This Group will innovate in food product and nutraceutical development and the use of nutritional strategies to enhance human well-being, as well as the evaluation of their effects.Members have expertise in nutrition, health and food science (food composition, innovation, product development, functional foods and food safety).

Lived Experiences of Distress

Head: Prof. Paula Reave

This group researches lived experiences of mental distress, centring on how individuals interpret, embody, manage and live with mental health challenges. An integral part of these investigations is the examination of professional relationships and identities of staff and service users, in the context of delivering interventions, as well as the use of innovative methodologies, including action research and visual methods.

Psychology and Pedagogy

Head: Dr Janice Brown

This group brings together staff with expertise in various fields of psychology to research the numerous hurdles Higher Education students face in terms of engagement, satisfaction, progression, and retention. The group aims to produce enhancements to the teaching and learning provision for students across multiple disciplines, based on rigorous, empirical research.

Forensic Psychology Research Group

Head: Dr Jaimee Mallion

Head: Dr Serra Tekin Eriksson

The aims of FPRG are to increase awareness of issues in forensic psychology, increase expert research, provide opportunities for international collaboration, as well as student-staff collaborations. Specialist areas of interest include street gang intervention, disability hate crime, forensic mental health, investigative interviewing, deception detection and eyewitness psychology. Research produced by members of FPRG have been shared with the Home Office, several international police forces and the Royal College of Psychiatry. FPRG has close collaborative links with other groups at LSBU, (e.g., Crime and Justice Research Network), other international institutions and expert networks (e.g., Eurogang Network, International Investigative Research Group, and the European Association of Psychology and Law).