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.
Benjamin Tribe
PhD Student
My research interests broadly lie in attention and methods. I developed an interest in mind-wandering during my placement year at Sussex Attention lab as part of my undergraduate degree, where I also learned about uses and limitations of EEG. Having developed further skills in programming and analysis through an MRes in Psychological Methods, I am now undertaking a PhD investigating novel methodological approaches to improve the accuracy in detecting mind-wandering onset during EEG recording. My hope is that this research will provide a basis for reliably tracking transitions between task-focus and mind-wandering without reliance on participant self-report.
Luca D'Aquino RA Placement Student
I am currently doing a BSc in Psychology at the University of Sussex. During this placement, I hope to deepen my understanding of individual differences in cognition and underlying attentional mechanisms using EEG. I also aim to build foundational knowledge of neuroimaging research techniques and data analysis. With the crucial research skills I develop over this experience, I plan to pursue my interests in the influence of technology on attention, with a focus on neurodivergent individuals using neuroimaging.