Psychology research at Heriot-Watt University is grouped by three main themes:Work, Society & Environment - Lifespan Health & Wellbeing - Cognition, Brain & Behaviour.

Work, Society & Environment:

Findings from psychology can impact people and society in a number of ways. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, research in under this theme includes behaviour in the workplace, assessing risk in the environment and interventions to improve workplace performance. 

Staff to contact for this Research Theme:
Dr Sue Cowan
Dr Mioara Christea
Dr Dasha Grajfoner
Dr Terry Landown
Dr Mel McKendrick

Lifespan Health & Wellbeing:

Issues explored in psychology are inherently linked to wellbeing across the lifespan, affecting fields from health and education. Research under this theme explores health-promotion activities in children and adolescents, healthy ageing and mental health issues in developmental conditions.

Staff to contact for this Research Theme:
Dr Alan Gow
Dr Dan Hale
Dr Lauren Potter
Dr Mary Stewart

Research Associate (PDRA):
Dr Ria Vaportzis

Cognition, Brain & Behaviour:

Our brains and cognitive abilities develop from childhood through to old age. Research within this theme explores those changes, including developmental conditions, dementia and stroke patients as well as heathy adults and children and primates. Research spans from language to social cognition, including memory, motor control and body representation. A strong aspect of this theme is theoretical informed translational interventions, making use of state of the art multidisciplinary techniques such as robotics and virtual reality.

Staff to contact for this Research Theme:
Dr Micha Dewar
Dr Maria Garraffa
Dr Nicola McGuigan
Dr Kevin Muldoon
Dr Mario Parra Rodriguez
Dr Thusha Rajendran
Dr Anna Sedda
Dr Monica Tamariz

Research Associates (PDRAs):
Dr Michael Craig
Dr Serge Hoefeijers
Dr Clara Calia