Informed World

Our research reveals that switching between tasks, even when it feels productive, actually slows people down and increases errors.

These findings challenge everyday assumptions about multitasking and show the cognitive costs of divided attention, especially in fast-paced environments like classrooms or workplaces.

We’re studying how the act of remembering one thing can unintentionally block access to other memories. This "memory competition" affects how we focus, make decisions, and even regulate emotions, shedding light on how to improve learning and manage intrusive or unwanted thoughts.

People are naturally drawn to look at faces, even when told not to.

Our research shows that this powerful social bias can interfere with attention and control. This is possibly particularly pronounced for individuals with attention difficulties. Understanding this can inform better design for visual tasks, signage, and educational materials.

We’re exploring how the brain recognises and prioritises objects in busy or cluttered environments. Whether identifying hazards while driving or scanning bags at airport security, our research helps improve user interfaces and visual recognition in high-stakes settings through better understanding of perception and attention.

Working with local partners, Essex researchers have analysed suicide data to identify patterns and types of risk. This helps uncover potential intervention points by recognising that those at risk often fall into distinct behavioural and demographic profiles—offering new possibilities for prevention and support strategies.

Religious belief has long provided existential meaning, but as religiosity declines in Western societies, is meaning lost?

Essex research shows that, despite this decline, people’s sense of purpose remains steady. Belief in science does not replace religion as a source of meaning, challenging the idea that secularisation harms psychological wellbeing and prompting new questions about how meaning is found today.