Areas of Expertise

Psychology Research Labs - Areas of Expertise and Consultancy Themes:

Our Psychology research labs bring together expertise across a wide range of psychological disciplines, generating research that addresses real-world challenges and opportunities. Explore our areas of expertise and consultancy themes to discover how our academic knowledge can support organisations, communities and industry partners through evidence-based consultancy, training and collaborative projects.

Research Lab	Areas of Expertise	Consultancy Themes	Lab Lead(s)	Relevant Sectors / Industries
MindFuel Lab: Applied and Experimental Research in Behaviour Change and Eating \| Birmingham City University	Behaviour change Eating behaviour Mindfulness-based interventions Self-compassion and wellbeing Mind–body health Mechanisms of behaviour change Sustainability behaviours Ultra-processed food consumption Whole foods Eating-related interoceptive sensation Physiological hunger Physiological satiety Alexithymia Body acceptance Body positivity Body neutrality	Behaviour change interventions for diet and health Mindfulness-based wellbeing programmes Evaluation of behaviour change interventions Eating behaviour Food choice Food choice decision-making Experimental research methods Development of psychological scales Validation of psychological scales Health and wellbeing programme design Bespoke interventions Innovative interventions	Prof Michael Mantzios Michael.mantzios@bcu.ac.uk Dr Misba Hussain Misba.Hussain2@bcu.ac.uk	Public health, healthcare providers, food industry, government/public policy, wellbeing sector
Language Literacy and Inclusion \| Birmingham City University	Language development Literacy development Communication skills Inclusive education Language and literacy barriers Educational inclusion	Literacy and language development interventions Evaluation of literacy programmes Evaluation of educational initiatives Communication support strategies Language support strategies Inclusive education Accessibility practices	Dr Aris Terzopoulos Aris.Terzopoulos@bcu.ac.uk Dr Emily Harrison Emily.Harrison@bcu.ac.uk	Education, schools, local authorities, government/policy, charities and community organisations
Cognition, Disorders and Computation Lab \| Birmingham City University	Cognitive processes Attention Learning Decision-making Computational modelling of behaviour AI of behaviour Behavioural data analysis Human cognition across the lifespan Mental health and cognition Mental health and psychological disorders ADHD and cognition Differentiation between ADHD and FASD Cross-cultural differences in cognition Business neuroscience Leadership and cognition Attention and decision-making in managerial leadership	Behavioural and cognitive data analysis AI and computational modelling methodologies Computational modelling of behaviour Attentional processes Attention in everyday life ADHD Decision-making in ADHD Attention and decision-making in ADHD Attention and decision-making in business leadership Cognitive processes in leadership Mental health and wellbeing insights Evaluation of behavioural interventions ADHD and FASD differentiation	Prof Eirini Mavritsaki Eirini.Mavritsaki@bcu.ac.uk	Healthcare, mental health services, technology/AI companies, public health
Forensic Psychology \| Birmingham City University		Investigative interviewing training Evaluation of investigative interviewing training Eyewitness memory Evidence interpretation Behavioural insights for legal decision-making Evaluation of investigative procedures Evaluation of interview procedures Approaches to engaging victims Approaches to engaging witnesses Recognition of interpersonal violence Training on recognition of interpersonal violence Best practice in embedding lived experience Evidence-based policing	Dr Silvia Fraga Dominguez Silvia.FragaDominguez@bcu.ac.uk Dr Rebecca Wheeler-Mundy Rebecca.Wheeler-Mundy@bcu.ac.uk	Policing, criminal justice system, legal sector, government, third sector, public health
Gender, Sexuality and Intimate Relationships \| Birmingham City University	Gender Sexuality Sex and intimate relationships Identity and wellbeing Social experiences of gender Psychological experiences of gender Social experiences of sexuality Psychological experiences of sexuality Sexual health Maternal health Relationships and interpersonal dynamics Gender, sexuality and health Prejudice and discrimination Relationship and sex education (RSE) Intersectionality of gender, sexuality and health	Research-informed insights on gender, sexuality and relationships Evaluation of programmes and initiatives related to gender and sexuality Relationship and wellbeing research in social contexts Evidence-informed input on gender and sexuality in policy Evidence-informed input on gender and sexuality in practice	Dr Matt Kimberley Matt.Kimberley@bcu.ac.uk	Healthcare, education, charities/NGOs, government and policy organisations, equality and diversity initiatives, wellbeing sector
Psychology of New and Emerging Technology \| Birmingham City University	Psychological impacts of digital technologies Behavioural impacts of digital technologies Online behaviour Digital communication Social media Digital environments Cybersecurity and human behaviour Generative AI Emerging technologies	Behavioural insights into digital technology use Evaluation of digital environments Online behaviour Human factors in cybersecurity Digital risk Psychological impacts of social media Psychological impacts of digital communication Emerging technologies Generative AI Research-informed insights on emerging technologies	Dr Vasilena Stefanova Vasilena.Stefanova@bcu.ac.uk Dr Olga Fotakopoulou Olga.Fotakopoulou@bcu.ac.uk	Technology sector, cybersecurity, digital platforms, government/policy, education
Interactions with the world \| Birmingham City University	ocial identity Group dynamics Behavioural insights Behaviour change Individual resilience Collective resilience Community dynamics Cultural dynamics Health Wellbeing Lived experience Media Social media Digital environments Built environments Natural environments	Research-informed insights into perception and experience in real-world contexts Evaluation of perception and experience in real-world contexts Identity influencing behaviour Group processes and resilience Group processes and wellbeing Attitudes and behaviours over time Inequalities and identity-based dynamics shaping lived experience Group processes influencing perception Group processes influencing cohesion Group processes influencing participation	Dr Deborah Earnshaw Deborah.Earnshaw@bcu.ac.uk Dr Olga Fotakopoulou Olga.Fotakopoulou@bcu.ac.uk Dr Josephine Cornell Josephine.Cornell@bcu.ac.uk	Technology, product design, healthcare and public health, education and youth services, government/policy, community organisations, workplace and organisational development, charities and NGOs, creative, media and digital industries, built environment and urban planning
EEG and Development Research Group \| Birmingham City University	EEG methods Brain activity Neural processes Cognitive processes Developmental processes Developmental psychology research	EEG-based research and data analysis Insights into brain activity Cognitive processes Evaluation of developmental processes using EEG methods Research-informed insights into cognitive development	Dr Jessica Diaz Jessica.Diaz@bcu.ac.uk Dr Sophie Jackson Sophie.Jackson2@bcu.ac.uk	Healthcare, neuroscience, education, research organisations, technology
Applied Health Psychology Research Lab \| Birmingham City University	Health behaviour Behaviour change Psychological aspects of health Psychological aspects of illness Applied health psychology research Health and wellbeing	Behaviour change interventions for health and wellbeing Evaluation of health-related interventions and programmes Research-informed insights into health behaviours Research-informed insights into wellbeing	Prof Helen Egan Helen.Egan@bcu.ac.uk	Healthcare, public health organisations, government/policy, charities and community organisations