About Me

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I am a lecturer in cognition and neuroscience at the University of Kent. My research centres on the integration of vestibular-multisensory cues for self-motion perception. In particular, I am interested in how vestibular-multisensory integration changes across the lifespan, following sensory loss, and in response to expertise. I am currently building my lab in order to answer these questions. I teach across the University of Kent's undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with a focus on cognitive and biological psychology, as well as statistics. I pride myself on providing an excellent educational experience for students, and would welcome students who would like to gain research experience with me. 

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Research Highlights

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During my PhD, I found that both vestibular reflexes and vestibular perception are altered when visual cues for self-motion are presented in the absence of corresponding vestibular cues, even following very brief visual stimulation. In addition, I proposed an approach to VR-induced motion sickness based on optimal integration of visual and vestibular cues. This approach could inform techniques to reduce cybersickness in VR, improving the user experience. 

 

During my postdoctoral position at Cardiff University, I investigated the integration of audiovisual motion cues during active eye and head movements. When the head and/or eyes move, the brain is faced with a compensation problem to determine actual motion of the visual and/or auditory target. Accordingly, self-motion cues must be integrated with the target cues to accurately perceive motion relative to the observer and world. Our research aimed at uncovering the mechanism behind this conundrum.

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Currently, I am working on an EPS funded project investigating whether reductions in visuo-gravitational conflicts in Virtual Reality can reduce cybersickness. Participants will play a VR game signalling zero-gravity while their body is supported on an anti-gravity treadmill to match body-related and visual gravity cues. This work is expected to be complete by summer 2023. 

 

To address my research questions I use a range of techniques from psychology and cognitive neuroscience, and I am particularly skilled in the use of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation, psychophysics, and VR. I am interested in following up these studies using MRI, and in more specialist populations. 

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Education and Background

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• 2016-2019, Royal Holloway, University of London - PhD Psychology, Cybersickness: A Visuo-Vestibular Multisensory Integration Approach, Date of award, May 2020, funded by ESRC

• 2014-2015, University College London - MSc Cognitive Neuroscience, Distinction

• 2010-2014, University of Kent - BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology with Clinical Psychology, 1st class

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Prior to beginning my undergraduate degree, I was not at all convinced about attending university. I was a first generation student, I had previously been home educated up until my A-Levels, and I assumed that university was just for middle-class people, and not for the likes of me! How wrong I was. On arrival at the University of Kent, I had a fantastic range of opportunities which opened my eyes to a career in science, and I've not looked back since. Given this background, I feel committed to opening up higher education for underrepresented groups. As I have benefitted from opportunities to work in labs, and I have had excellent support from wonderful mentors, I feel it only right that I continue working along this ethos, and give students the confidence to pursue a career in science irrespective of their previous background. 

Research Experience

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• September 2022-Present, University of Kent - Lecturer in Cognition and Neuroscience, School of Psychology

• October 2019-August 2022, Cardiff University - Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Psychology (PIs: Prof. Tom Freeman and Prof. John Culling)

• October 2016 - September 2019, Royal Holloway University of London - PhD student (Supervisor: Dr Elisa R. Ferrè)

• September 2015-October 2016, University College London - Research Assistant (PIs: Prof. Patrick Haggard and Dr Elisa R. Ferrè)

• July 2013-August 2015, University of Kent - Clinical Trial Coordinator (PI: Prof. David Wilkinson)

• June 2012 - August 2014, University of Kent - Volunteer Research Assistant (PI: Prof. David Wilkinson)

• September 2011-April 2012, University of Kent - Research Experience Scheme Student

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