Psychology research
Explore our work across a variety of fields in Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, of conscious and unconscious phenomena, and the way humans and other species think, feel and behave.
Our fundamental and applied psychology research reflects the broad scope of psychological study, exploring topics from child development of social skills to eye witness testimony, from the evolution of primate facial expressions to the factors affecting drug use.
Our psychology researchers are addressing important issues in society, whether helping law enforcement agencies prosecute, developing methods to improve wellbeing and quality of life, supporting animal conservation and welfare initiatives, or unpacking the basics of psychological functioning.
Our research contributes to the University's Health and Wellbeing research theme, which seeks to improve society through enhancing health and wellbeing, and the University’s Security and Risk theme, which seeks to address the challenges of maintaining the security of individuals, organisations and societies in an interconnected world.
Equally, our work in behavioural ecology, animal welfare and environmental conservation addresses key issues surrounding the University’s Sustainability and the Environment theme – while our research into the building blocks of social interaction, group processes and the evolution of human and animal societies ties into the Democratic Citizenship theme, by providing insights into contemporary culture, and the changes and challenges faced by people around the world.
Our Psychology research entities
Find out more about the facilities and research methods in psychology that shape our research in the following research entities – including our work in development psychology, dog cognition and wellbeing.
Centre for interaction, development and diversity
In the Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity, we study psychological phenomena in relation to the contexts and situations in which they emerge.
Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology
In the Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, we're exploring evolutionary processes and comparing humans with other animals, to study the origins of behaviour.
International Centre for Research in Forensic Psychology
The ICRFP has an established international reputation for conducting a broad range of criminological and forensic psychology research.
Quality of Life Health and Wellbeing Research Group
We explore life experiences. Our research includes empowering people with learning disabilities, exploring wellbeing, enhancing life in later years, and more. Read more.
Dog Cognition Centre
In the Dog Cognition Centre, we're exploring the behaviour and cognitive processes of man's best friend – and studying everything from human-dog communication, to facial expressions in dogs.
Autism Centre for Research on Employment
ACRE addresses the gap in provision for autistic adults in terms of employment and to facilitate job retention by developing tools to support employers.
Take part in our research studies
We're always looking for volunteers to join our research study programmes.
If you're an adult interested in registering for a research study, please fill in the following form.
If you're interested in registering a child for a research study, please fill in the following form.
Interested in a PhD in Psychology?
Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Psychology postgraduate research degrees page.