Sussex Attention Lab
People
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Dr Sophie Forster
Principal Investigator
My research uses cognitive psychology and neuroscience methods to study attention, distraction and mind wandering, in both non-clinical and clinical populations. I completed my PhD research under the supervision of Nilli Lavie at University College London. My post-doctoral research took me to Sonia Bishop's lab at UC Berkeley, before moving back to University College London for an ESRC fellowship. I have been a member of faculty of the School of Psychology at the University of Sussex since 2013.
Charlie Havill
PhD student
I am currently investigating attention and neurodiversity under the supervision of Dr. Sophie Forster. I completed my undergraduate degree in linguistics at Cardiff University, where I developed an interest in psycholinguistics. I then worked as an audiologist with the NHS before pursuing a master's in psychology at the University of Exeter. My academic and clinical background has provided me with a strong foundation in sensation, perception, and cognition, which has guided my transition to research in psychology and cognitive neuroscience. I am especially interested in how attentional processes differ across clinical populations and how these distinctions can inform diagnoses. My lab work utilises electroencephalography paired with behavioural measures, and I use network modelling (network psychometrics) to help uncover how symptoms interact within and across disorders.​
Olivia Stevens
RA Placement Student
I am an undergraduate student pursuing a BSc in Psychology with Neuroscience. Currently, I am completing my placement year as a Research Assistant at the Sussex Attention Lab. I have a strong interest in cognitive neuroscience and a passion for coding / statistics. My interests lie in investigating sensory and perceptual experiences, and I enjoy developing my programming skills in R, Python, Inquisit, MatLab, and PsychoPy through designing experiments and analysing data. I am particularly excited to develop a proficiency in EEG methodology and analysis to further explore the complex mechanisms underlying attention. ​
Jolie McWilliams
RA Placement Student
I am an undergraduate Psychology student currently completing a placement year at the Attention Lab. My interests lie between Cognitive and Clinical Psychology, and I’m particularly interested in applying cognitive research methods to a clinical sample, as well as learning about the lived experiences of those with ADHD. I hope to improve my academic ability in all areas, including programming, data analysis, and writing.​