Summer research in School of Psychology

The Centre for Developmental Science combines expertise and methods for studying brain, cognition, and behaviour, from infancy to elderly adulthood. The studies aim to understand diversity in development–its origins, consequences, meanings for individuals, and, where appropriate, the potential for change.

Summer research projects available for summer 2026

Project 1

Are there “errors” of social understanding, or just different opinions?

Research objective

You will work with a data set where young people and adults aged 15-35 years interpreted social stories written by different people. You will examine whether answers that the story authors considered to be incorrect are nevertheless reasonable interpretations, or whether they are misinterpretations. This is important for understanding what makes someone “good” at social understanding.

Project 2

What is the difference between “empathic accuracy” and “theory of mind”?

Research objective

Two quite separate literatures have investigated social understanding using different terminology but apparently similar concepts and methods. You will conduct a review of the relevant literatures, ​synthesise them to identify similarities and differences in a systematic way, and discuss whether they are essentially or only superficially similar.

The Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH) is pioneering research that transforms our understanding of the human brain and its complex functions. Its mission–to enable basic human neuroscience research and translation.

Summer research projects available for summer 2026

Project 1

The importance of sleep

Research objective

In this project we will attempt to link neuroimaging and electrophysiological markers of sleep with waking cognitive and mental health outcomes.

Project 2

Attention control and mental health in neurodivergence

Research objective

In this project we will focus on attention control measures in autism and ADHD and ask to what extent the attention control profile is associated with mental health measures. We will also consider the impact of developing attention control skills to reducing mental ill-health in neurodivergence.

Project 3

The role of task-switching brain networks in falling asleep

Research objective

This project will assess to what degree brain mechanisms involved in switching between tasks are also associated with pre-sleep arousal which prevents sleep initiation.