Notts Psych Pod

Can educational apps really help children learn, or are they simply another form of screen time? In this episode, we explore the science of digital learning, cognitive training, and the home learning environment. We discuss what researchers have discovered about using apps to support children's literacy, numeracy, memory, and attention, and why parents may need better tools to identify genuine...

Notts Psych Pod is a podcast series brought to you by the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. In Series 3, we’re diving into some of the biggest questions in psychology and neuroscience - from children’s learning and digital technology to healthy ageing, memory, brain stimulation, and the science of consciousness. Each episode features psychologists, neuroscientists, and research...

This episode focuses on a project that encourages blood donation within Black communities, where University of Nottingham researchers work with Action on Blood . As part of the project, videos were produced with the communities to inspire people to donate blood. This unique, arts-based approach has been very effective at increasing blood donation.   We are joined by University of Nottingham resear...

This episode focuses on the Scouting and Guiding Initiative – or SAGI. SAGI is a group of researchers at the University of Nottingham who aim to inspire the next generation of scientists. SAGI organise fun sessions all about science and how the brain works at Scouting, Girl Guiding and Boys Brigade groups.   We are joined by University of Nottingham researchers, Dr Lee Parkin and Dr Nikki Dean Mar...

This episode focuses on a Wellcome Trust funded project called EPIC – or otherwise known as Early Psychosis: Investigating Cognition . Problems with memory and attention affect a large proportion of people with psychosis. However, much of the focus is on “positive” symptoms like hallucinations. The EPIC project aims to fill this gap by understanding the changes in memory and attention in daily lif...

This episode focuses on a research programme which explores what happens to the mind as we navigate one of life’s major transitions, the menopause. Such a transition is under-researched, despite affecting half the population. Here, we dive into the science of attention, memory and hormones, and hear from researchers about how cognitive performance is affected across the stages of menopause.  We ar...

Are fairies real - and does God eat? This episode focuses on the Developing Belief Network , a cross-cultural research network involving 19 countries where questions like these have been asked of children to explore the development and diversity of cognition.   We are joined by University of Nottingham researchers Dr Emily Burdett and Joanna Stephens .   Here are some of the resources discussed in...

Notts Psych Pod is a podcast series brought to you by the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. In our second series, we are exploring what it means to work with communities. Each episode features diverse voices and showcases how researchers in the School of Psychology engage with various groups. Alongside researchers, guests also include students, project partners, and individuals...

This episode focuses on the mental health difficulties that autistic people commonly experience (including self-harm, suicide, PTSD, and trauma). We also discuss autistic people’s experiences of mental health services and isolation and exclusion from society.   We are joined by University of Nottingham researchers Dr Sarah Cassidy and Victoria Newell , alongside Jon, an autistic researcher at the...

This episode focuses on the barriers that neurodivergent people experience when accessing healthcare, with a focus on ADHD and Tourette Syndrome. We discuss the importance of ensuring support is accessible for neurodivergent people. We are joined by the University of Nottingham researchers Dr Blandine French and Dr Maddie Groom , alongside Mat, who shares his experiences of getting an ADHD diagnos...

This episode focuses on autism and driving. We discuss why it is important for driving instructors to understand and recognise autism.   We are joined by University of Nottingham researcher Dr Lizzy Sheppard, Dr Julia Malkin MBE , an autistic driving instructor who has over 18 years of experience training driving instructors on how to support neurodivergent learner drivers and Laurie, an autistic...

This episode focuses on improving inclusivity for neurodivergent people in policing. We discuss why it is important for police officers to understand and recognise autism.   We are joined by University of Nottingham researcher Prof Danielle Ropar and Gail, a Learning and Development Officer for Nottinghamshire Police, who shares her opinions of the training provided by Prof Ropar and the team. To...

This episode focuses on how we can make workplaces more inclusive for neurodivergent people, where we discuss the importance of understanding and accommodating neurodiversity at work.   We are joined by University of Nottingham researcher Dr Lauren Marsh and Ali, a dyslexic research technician, who shares his experiences and opinions on the research.   To complement this episode, we have written a...

Notts Psych Pod is a podcast series from the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. In our first series, we spotlight neurodiversity research conducted at the University. Each episode features researchers discussing their cutting-edge work on the societal barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals, the consequences of these barriers, and how their research aims to create a more in...