I completed my Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BSc) at Leiden University in 2015, followed by a Master of Science in Psychological Research Methods (MSc) at the University of Edinburgh in 2017. I did my doctorate degree at the University of Essex from 2017 until 2021 on the topic of age differences in risk-taking behaviour, for which I was supervised by Professor Miroslav Sirota and Dr Alasdair Clarke.

I have held postdoctoral positions at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Strathclyde before commencing my current position as Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University.

My research focuses on advancing our understanding of healthy ageing and identifying effective ways to support it. I primarily employ experimental methodologies, complemented by the application of theoretical frameworks to inform intervention design.

A key area of interest is how healthy ageing influences cognitive processes such as learning and decision-making. For example, I investigate whether age-related changes in risk-taking behaviour are driven by shifts in personality traits (e.g., risk preference) and/or cognitive functions (e.g., numeracy, working memory, processing speed). I also explore the conditions under which collaborative learning can enhance cognitive performance in older adults.

In addition, I examine how social robotics can support healthy ageing. This includes studying how older adults perceive interactions with robots versus human partners, the impact of these interactions on task performance, and the attributes older adults value in social robots.

I am committed to open science and strive to make my research transparent and reproducible. I regularly share data and code, and frequently publish using the Registered Report format.

If you'd like to read more about my research or any upcoming papers and presentations, please check my website for more details: https://www.wolfekelly.com/.