Dr Samuel Jones

Lecturer In Applied Cognitive Psychology

samuel.jones@open.ac.uk

Biography

Professional biography

I am a cognitive scientist with an interest in brain ageing and multisensory perception. I completed my undergraduate and master's degrees in psychology and psychological research (respectively) at Bangor University, before undertaking PhD research at the University of Birmingham. My PhD applied behavioural testing, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and computational modelling to explore ways in which cognitive ageing affects the brain's ability to effectively combine signals from multiple senses. Following my PhD, I was employed as a Lecturer in Quantitative Psychological Research Methods and Statistics (Staffordshire University; 2019-2022) and Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Ageing (Nottingham Trent University; 2022-2024). I am now a Lecturer in Applied Cognitive Psychology in the OU's School of Psychology and Counselling.

Research interests

My core interest is in the effects of ageing on the brain, particularly in relation to how older adults process sensory signals (from sight, sound, touch, etc.), though I am also involved in a range of other psychology and cognitive neuroscience research. I use a variety of methods in my research, including computerised behavioural testing (online and in person), fMRI, eye tracking, and computational modelling.

Teaching interests

I most enjoy teaching quantitative research methods and statistics, and have a lot of experience doing so at a range of levels. I also regularly contribute to cognitive and biological psychology teaching.

External collaborations

I am a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. I am also a member of the editorial board of the journal Aging Brain, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and have served as a reviewer of research articles and grant proposals for a variety of academic journals and funding organisations.

International links

I currently have active collaborations with researchers at Nottingham Trent University; the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour (Radboud University, Netherlands); the University of Trento (Italy); Staffordshire University; and Birmingham City University.