Dr Jessica Ann Diaz
Lecturer in Psychology | Leader of the EEG and Development Research Lab | PGR Academic Leader
- Email:
- Jessica.Diaz@bcu.ac.uk
Dr Jessica A. Diaz is a lecturer in Psychology with a particular interest in cognitive neuroscience, focusing on human perceptual learning and neural plasticity, decision-making, and cognitive development. She also has an interest in how the brain processes numerical information and how this could link to dyscalculia.
Jessy received a Licenciatura in Psychology from the Autonomous University of Madrid and a Masters’s in Clinical Psychology from the same University. Then she did a MSc in Brain Imaging and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham. This was followed by a PhD in Computational Neuroscience and Psychology from the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Glasgow supervised by Professor Marios Philiastides.
After completing her PhD, she worked as an interim lecturer at Nottingham Trent University. Between 2018 and 2022, she was a Post-Doctoral Researcher Fellow in Computational Neuroscience at the School of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Leeds with Dr. Ioannis Delis.
Current Activity
Academic Leadership
- PGR Academic Leader (Postgraduate Lead, PhD), Department of Psychology (2024–present).
- Lab Lead, EEG and Development Research Group (2024–present): https://www.bcu.ac.uk/research/psychology/eeg-and-development
- Chair, Mathematical, Statistical & Computing Psychology Section, The British Psychological Society (BPS) — 2025–2028. First woman to lead this section in its 56-year history. https://www.bps.org.uk/news/building-stronger-more-inclusive-community-psychological-science
BPS conferences organised:
- Event Organiser & Chair: Machine Learning Applications in Psychology: Using Large Datasets (Sept 2025). Coordinated the programme and delivered an invited talk. https://www.bps.org.uk/event/machine-learning-applications-psychology-using-large-datasets
- Event Organiser & Chair: Advancing Reproducible Machine Learning for Psychological Research (Dec 2025). Coordinated the programme and delivered a talk. (Link forthcoming.)
- Senior Editor, Europe’s Journal of Psychology (EJOP), 2025–present.
Areas of Expertise
- Mathematical cognition & numerical learning across the lifespan
- Cognitive development, including dyscalculia
- Perceptual learning & decision making
- Multisensory integration across the lifespan
- Neural & behavioural data science (e.g., drift–diffusion modelling)
- EEG: experimental design, acquisition, and analysis
Qualifications
- PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology. At the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology. The University of Glasgow.
- MSc in Brain Imaging and Cognitive Neuroscience (with distinction). The University of Nottingham.
- Master’s in Clinical Psychology (60 credits). Autonomous University of Madrid. (Overall grade point average 95%).
- Licenciatura (BSc and MSc) in Psychology, Autonomous University of Madrid (Overall grade point average in the 97th percentile, final degree-stage 5 grade point average in the 99th percentile).
Additional training
- Sign-language interpreting in mental health settings. 30 hour training course by Spanish Society for Mental Health and Deafness.
- Theoretical and practical training for working with people with autism spectrum disorder. 100 hours of training by Centre for Applied Psychology, Autonomous University of Madrid.
- Spanish Sign Language. Official qualification at Levels I, II and III. 384 hours of training by Deafness Association of Madrid.
Memberships
- Honorary Treasurer of the Mathematical, Statistical, and Computing section of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol), British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Member of British Psychological Society sections (BPS): Developmental Psychology; Mathematical, Statistical, and Computing; Neuropsychology.
- Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA).
- Chair, Mathematical, Statistical & Computing Section, British Psychological Society (BPS) (2025–2028): https://www.bps.org.uk/member-networks/mathematical-statistical-and-computing-psychology-section
Teaching
Module Leader (BPS-accredited):
- PSY7057 — Psychology Dissertation for MSc Psychology (Online), 2022–present.
- PSY7077 — The Applied Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development, MSc Cognitive Development, 2024–present.
- PSY7049 — Quantitative Research Methods, MSc Psychology (Online), 2022–2025.
Guest Lecturer (BPS-accredited):
- PSY7054 — Brain and Cognition, MSc Psychology (Online), 2022–present.
- PSY5047 — Neuropsychology (BSc, Level 5), 2022–present.
Research
Summary
My research lies at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and psychology, investigating how the brain learns and makes decisions from childhood through older adulthood. I combine EEG with sequential sampling / drift–diffusion models to uncover the neural dynamics of perceptual learning, multisensory decision-making, and mathematical cognition (including dyscalculia). Recent work characterises how prior expectations shape evidence accumulation and how multisensory processes evolve with age; ongoing projects examine the Approximate Number System (ANS) in adults and children using single-trial EEG and hierarchical modelling. I lead the EEG & Developmental Research Lab in the College of Psychology.
Current questions
- What neural signatures index the influence of prior expectations during perceptual learning and decision-making?
- How do multisensory integration and decision processes change across development?
- What are the neural and computational bases of numerical ability (ANS) and how do they relate to dyscalculia?
Methods & approach
-
EEG (time-resolved components; single-trial analyses) + behavioural modelling (drift–diffusion / hierarchical DDM)
- Computational/ML tools for large psychological datasets and multimodal integration
Postgraduate Supervision
Training advisor to PhD students Joshua Bolam, Shaikha Sultan. University of Leeds. Both have completed their PhDs.
Feel free to contact Jessica if you are interested in doing a PhD.
Research Assistants Supervision
- PhD student Ethan Mayers.
- PhD Student Richard Bipp.
- PhD Student Ben Hopkins.
- MSc student Hassan Hussain - 2025–present
Publications
Cognitive Neuroscience Across the Lifespan
(Decision-making and computational neuroscience across development and ageing)
- Díaz, J. A., Birmpas, K., Andrews, M., Gori, M., & Delis, I. (2025). Decoding multisensory decision-making development from childhood to adolescence. Under review.
- Birmpas, K., Díaz, J. A., Astill, S. L., Philiastides, M. G., & Delis, I. (2025). Spatiotemporal neural signatures of multisensory learning in perceptual decision-making. Under review.
- Díaz, J. A., Pisauro, A., Delis, I., & Philiastides, M. G. (2024). Prior probability biases perceptual choices by modulating the accumulation rate, rather than the baseline, of decision evidence. Imaging Neuroscience, 2, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1162/imag_a_00338
- Bolam, J. W., Díaz, J. A., Andrews, M., Coats, R. O., Philiastides, M. G., Astill, S. L., & Delis, I. (2024). A drift diffusion model analysis of age-related impact on multisensory decision-making processes. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 14895. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65549-5
- Diaz, J. A, Pisauro,A. Philiastides, M & Delis, I. (2024). Prior probability biases perceptual choices by modulating the interpretation, rather than the baseline, of decision evidence. 2024; 2 1–19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1162/imag_a_00338
- Bolam J, Diaz J. A., Andrews M, Coats RO, Philiastides MG, Astill SL, Delis I. (2024) A drift diffusion model analysis of age-related impact on multisensory decision-making processes. Sci Rep. 2024 Jun 28;14(1):14895. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65549-5
- Díaz, J. A., Queirazza, F., & Philiastides, M. G. (2017). Perceptual learning alters post-sensory processing in human decision-making. Nature Human Behaviour, 1, 0035. (doi: 10.1038/s41562-016-0035). Accompanied by an editorial introduction: Sasaki & Watanabe, “When perceptual learning occurs,” Nature Human Behaviour.)
- Philiastides, M., Díaz, J. A., & Gherman, S. (2016). Spatiotemporal characteristics and modulators of perceptual decision-making in the human brain. In J. Dreher & L. Tremblay (Eds.), Decision Neuroscience: An Integrative Perspective.
Mathematical Cognition & Numerical Learning Across the Lifespan
(Number processing, mathematical learning, dyscalculia)
- Díaz, J. A., Birmpas, K., Andrews, M., & Delis, I. Neural signatures of the approximate number system in adults: Evidence from EEG and hierarchical drift diffusion modelling. In preparation.
- Díaz, J. A., Pisauro, A., & Delis, I. Neural signatures of the approximate number system in children: A novel EEG–HDDM single-trial modelling approach. In preparation.
In Preparation
- Diaz, J. A, Birmpas, K,Astill,S.L, & Delis. (in preparation). The Impact of Lifespan Development on Multisensory Decision-Making: A Drift Diffusion Model Analysis.
- Diaz, J. A, Andrews, M (in preparation). The Neural Signatures of the Approximate Number System with adults: Insights from EEG Analysis.
- Diaz, J. A, Pisauro, A & Delis, I. (in preparation). A Drift Diffusion Model Analysis of Neural Signatures in the Approximate Number System.
- Birmpas, K, Diaz,J.A, Astill,S.L, Philiastides, M.G & Delis, I. (in preparation). Spatiotemporal characterisation of multisensory perceptual learning in the human brain.
- Diaz, J. A. (2018) The Neural Correlates of the Influence of Learning on Perceptual Decision Making. PhD Thesis. University of Glasgow.
Research Grants and Funding
- Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship. PI: Díaz, J. A. (Planned submission Feb 2026). Neural Signatures of Number Sense Across Development: Identifying Risk for Mathematical Learning Difficulties.
- Internal Start-up Research Grant, BCU. PI: Díaz, J. A. (2025). EEG-based exploration of the approximate number system in childhood development.
- Internal Start-up Research Grant, BCU. PI: Díaz, J. A. (2024). Uncovering neural signatures of the approximate number system in children via a novel EEG analytic method.
- ESRC (APP53809). Do player motivations and in-game features predict psychological and neurophysiological responses to microtransactions in video games? Co-lead: Díaz, J. A. (2024) with C. Fullwood.
- Birmingham City University Start-Up Grant. Principal investigator (Diaz, J. A, 2024). Uncovering the Neural Signature of the Approximate Number System in Children: Insights from a Novel EEG Analytic Method.
- Birmingham City University Start-Up Grant. Principal investigator (Diaz, J. A, 2024). The Neural Signatures of the Approximate Number System: An EEG Analysis.
- I was named investigator on a grant (Diaz, J. A, 2013) (Ref. CTINV041/11) worth 21K given to the National Distance Education University (UNED). Effective socio-educational intervention strategies with adolescents at risk of social exclusion.
Book Chapters
- Díaz, J. A. Introduction to EEG: Insights and brief applications in neuroscience and business. Encyclopedia of Business and Neuroscience (in press, 2025).
- Díaz, J. A., & Bolam, J. W. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence & Neuroscience. Encyclopedia of Business and Neuroscience (in press, 2025).
- Diaz, J. A. Introduction to EEG: Insights and Brief Applications in Neuroscience and Business (under review, 2024). Encyclopedia for Business and Neuroscience.
- Andrews, M, Diaz, J. A. & Bolam, J. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence & Neuroscience. (under review, 2024). Encyclopedia for Business and Neuroscience.
- Philiastides, M. & Diaz, J. A. & Gherman, S. (2016). Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Modulators or Perceptual Decision-Making in the Human Brain in Dreher, J., &Tremblay, L., (eds) Decision Neuroscience: An Integrative Perspective.
Books
- Diaz, J. collaborating author on Melendro, M. (2014). Estrategias eficaces de Intervencion socioeducativa con adolescentes en riesgo de exclusion.13 UNED Press. This book was based on studies using qualitative data analysis.
- Diaz, J. collaborating author on Melendro, M. (2007). Estrategias educativas con adolescents y jóvenes en dificultad social.14 UNED Press. This book was based on studies using qualitative data analysis.
Oral Conference Presentations
- International Multisensory Research Forum (IMRF), Durham, UK (2025).
Díaz, J. A., Birmpas, K., Gori, M., Philiastides, M. G., & Delis, I. Decoding multisensory decision-making development from childhood to adolescence.
- IMRF, Durham, UK (2025).
Birmpas, K., Díaz, J. A., Jiang, Z., Astill, S. L., Philiastides, M. G., & Delis, I. Spatiotemporal characterisation of multisensory perceptual learning in the human brain.
- Diaz, J.A, Andrews, M, Delis, I. (2024).The Neural Signatures of the Approximate Number System with adults: An EEG Analysis. BACN Cognitive Neuroscience Conference University of London, 2024.
- Diaz, J.A. & Delis, I., Philiastides, M. (2022) Prior Expectation Influences on Perceptual Decision Making. Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Glasgow.
- Diaz, J.A. & Andrews, M. (2019) The Approximate Number System and Mathematical Achievement: A Drift Diffusion Model Analysis. British Psychological Society’s Cognitive and Developmental Psychology Conference, Stoke-on-Trent.
- Diaz, J.A. & Philiastides, M. (2017) Perceptual learning alters post-sensory processing in human decision-making. Barcelona Young Neuroscientists symposium (BYNS), University of Barcelona.
- Diaz, J.A. & Philiastides, M. (2014) The Nature and Neural Locus of Perceptual Learning. iCog conference 2014. Perspectives on Learning. Informatics Forum, University of Edinburgh.
Poster Conference Presentations
- UK Neural Computation Conference, University of Sheffield (2024).
Díaz, J. A., Pisauro, A., Philiastides, M. G., & Delis, I. Prior probability biases perceptual choices by modulating the accumulation rate…
- UK Neural Computation Conference, University of Sheffield (2024).
Birmpas, K., Bolam, J. W., Díaz, J. A., Jiang, Z., Astill, S. L., Philiastides, M. G., & Delis, I. Spatiotemporal characterisation of multisensory perceptual learning in the human brain.
- BACN Cognitive Neuroscience Conference, University of London (2024).
Díaz, J. A., Andrews, M., & Delis, I. The neural signatures of the approximate number system in adults: An EEG analysis.
- BACN Cognitive Neuroscience Conference, University of London (2024).
Birmpas, K., Bolam, J. W., Díaz, J. A., Jiang, Z., Astill, S. L., Philiastides, M. G., & Delis, I. Spatiotemporal characterisation of multisensory perceptual learning in the human brain.
- Diaz,J.A, Pisauro,A. Philiastides, M & Delis, I.(2024).Prior probability biases perceptual choices by modulating the accumulation rate, rather than the baseline, of decision evidence. UK Neural Computation, University of Sheffield.
- Birma’s K, Bolam JW, Diaz JA, Jiang Z, Astill SL, Philiastides MG, Delis,I. (2024). Spatiotemporal characterisation of multisensory perceptual learning in the human brain. UK Neural Computation, University of Sheffield.
- Delis, I., Diaz, J.A., Philiastides, M. (2022) Prior probability affects the drift rate, not the starting point, of evidence accumulation in perceptual decision making. British Association for Cognitive Neuroscience, Birmingham.
- Diaz, J.A. & Philiastides, M. (2017) Prior Expectation Influences Perceptual Learning in Human decision-making -Using Drift Diffusion Models. EEG Cutting, Cutting-Edge Methods for EEG Research on Cognition. University of Glasgow.
- Diaz, J.A. & Philiastides, M. (2015) Perceptual learning affects post-sensory processing on a visual decision making task. Society of Neuroscience (SfN), Chicago, IL.
- Diaz, J.A. & Philiastides, M. (2015) The Nature and Neural Local of Perceptual Learning. Cutting EEG, Cutting-Edge Methods for EEG Research on Cognition. Humboldt University, Berlin.
- Almendros, C., Gámez-Guadix, M., Carrobles, J.A., Díaz, J., Muñoz, M. (2011). Religion related disciplinary practices among people born in isolated authoritarian groups. European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT), 41st Annual Congress.
Conference Workshops
- Delis, I., Birmpas, K., & Díaz, J. A. (2025). Decoding EEG signatures of multisensory decision-making using MATLAB. IMRF, Durham, UK.
Invited Talks in Mathematical Cognition
- The neural signatures of the approximate number system: An EEG analysis. School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, June 2024 (invited).
- Neural signatures of the approximate number system in adults: Evidence from EEG and hierarchical drift diffusion modelling. School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, December 2025 (invited).
- Neural signatures of the approximate number system in children: A novel EEG–HDDM single-trial modelling approach. Department of Psychology, University of Nottingham, April 2026 (invited).
Supervision & Examination
- External examiner (PhD viva): Candidate: Zhishan Liu, The Learning Brain: Exploring the Cognitive Processes and Potential Neural Mechanisms in Learning, School of Psychology, Cardiff University. First viva (April 2024) and second viva following minor revisions (August 2025).
- Research assistant (supervised): Hasan Husein (2025), worked as my research assistant on an EEG project over the lifespan; I served as the Principal Investigator (PI).
Work With Industry
- Clinical Child Psychologist (2011/2012), 3-Olivos Education Center in collaboration with Centre for Applied Psychology, Autonomous University of Madrid. Work focused on the psychometric evaluation of the general intelligence of deaf, autistic, and gifted children with observation in the classrooms and interviewing the parents.
- Social Worker, Opción3 (2009-2011). The work focused on the social integration of psychologically high-risk adolescents. This work was coordinated in a multidisciplinary team.