Cognitive Psychology Research Group

Researchers in the Cognitive Psychology Group study a range of topics in basic and applied cognitive psychology, in adults and children.

We are a group of staff members and postgraduate research students with specific interests in language and literacy, spontaneous and deliberate future thinking, virtual reality, and tool innovation.

Our researchers examine typical and atypical development of language and literacy (Lorna Hamilton, Natalie Smith), neurobiological underpinnings of reading and verbal short-term memory (Nicola Savill), and the role of long-term memory processes in language learning and use (Jelena Mirkovic).

We investigate how episodic memory relates to spontaneous and deliberate future thinking (Scott Cole). Our researchers examine how children innovate tools to solve problems (Nicola Cutting). We explore cognitive bases of spatial presence in virtual reality, and how virtual reality can be used to solve real-world problems (Matt Coxon).

We have regular groups meetings where we discuss our ongoing research. We have a postgraduate student-led journal club, and we are all members of the York St John Open Science journal club ReproducibiliTea.

Get in touch

If you are interested in pursuing a research degree (MSc or PhD), or joining the group as an undergraduate research assistant, please get in touch with Jelena Mirkovic (j.mirkovic@yorksj.ac.uk), or individual staff members.