I joined Heriot-Watt University as an Assistant Professor in Psychology in 2023. Before joining Heriot-Watt I was a Research Fellow in Experimental Psychology at University College London (2021-2023) and a Research Fellow in Psychology at Aston University (2018-2021).

I gained my PhD in Experimental Psychology from University College London in 2018. Before this, I completed my MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of York in 2014. I graduated with an MA (joint Hons) in Psychology and French from the University of Glasgow in 2012.

My research interests include language learning, comprehension, and reading. My previous research investigated how we learn new vocabulary through reading, and the different factors that can affect this process, such as the amount of exposure, spelling-to-sound mappings, and previous language experience. My research primarily uses web-based language learning paradigms to experimentally investigate aspects of word learning.

Recently, my work has included an ESRC-funded project investigating the factors that lead to high-quality lexical-semantic knowledge. Another project I recently worked on was funded by Aston University and investigated the relationship between reading and vocabulary learning. 

Another recent project focused on adults with low literacy. The project examined whether phonics courses can improve parents’ reading-related skills and ability to support their children’s reading.

Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences: https://cabs.site.hw.ac.uk