Research areas. We offer research supervision in a range of areas including:

Cognitive Psychology: memory structures and processes; attention (visual, spatial and multi-sensory); visual information processing; the neuropsychology of memory; individual differences in thinking and reasoning; cognitive neuropsychology of memory and language; face and voice processing; language and literacy acquisition; cognitive development of executive functions, concepts and categories; cross-cultural differences and the interaction of language and thought.

Sensory and Cognitive Neuroscience: visual perception and visual dysfunction; visual stress; colour vision; perceptual interactions between vision and touch; neural correlates of emotional states; functional significance of EEG; TMS and cortical plasticity; the cognitive neuroscience of emotion; processing biases in anxiety and depression; A range of techniques in brain stimulation, neuroimaging and electrophysiology (TMS, NIRS, EEG) is available in a newly opened Centre for Brain Science.

Social Psychology: social cognitive theories of health-related behaviour; attitudes, decision-making, intention-behaviour relations and self-regulation; volitional strategies and habit; norms of social fairness; social perception and stereotypes; culture and physical health; culture and social relationships; the psychology of liberty; evolutionary psychology.

What to do. We suggest you follow the steps set out below:

(1) Consider carefully the research area you would like to investigate. Look carefully at the Research Pages  and see if there is a member of staff who has research interests that coincide with your own.  If you are unsure please contact us and we will endeavour to find an area of mutual interest between you and one of our research staffs.

(2) If you find a member of staff whose interests match yours, contact them (initially by e-mail) giving your personal details and educational history. Indicate the research area of interest, and explain why it interests you.

(3) The applicant and potential supervisor together should explore the research area to decide if there is a research project that would be of mutually interest.

(4) If this is the case we recommend that the applicant visits the Department, to meet the potential supervisor, and the Graduate Director. The Department will reimburse travelling expenses up to a maximum of £50. This is a good opportunity for you to look round the University and the Department, with its research facilities.

(5) If the prospects look good at this stage, the applicant should submit a formal application using the online application form.  You will need to provide two academic references in support of your application.

(6) If you are self-funded or a student with an overseas scholarship, you will be notified of the result of your application within three weeks.

For general queries concerning application procedures please contact our  Graduate Administrator:  Lesley Monk (lamonk@essex.ac.uk) on +44 (0)1206 873822.