Our Team
Professor Scott Brown
Professor
School of Psychological Sciences
I use cognitive models, often of decision-making, to help understand human cognition. My work explores the workings of attention, performance, and preferences, in both basic science and applied domains. I apply tools from cognitive science to areas like human-machine interactions and decision-making by medical patients and other consumers. By integrating psychological theory with computational or formal models, I aim to advance our understanding of human judgment in both experimental and real-world settings.
Professor Ami Eidels
Professor
School of Psychological Sciences
Research Focus
My research focuses on information-processing models, and how various sources of information are processed and combined. My students and I study how cognitive workload affects the efficiency of processing and the capacity of our cognitive system, in the lab and in applied settings. We also scale-up cognitive modeling and machine learning techniques to study performance of human-human and human-bot teams. We conduct lab-based experiments, develop models of human cognition, and collaborate with various Defence and Industry partners.
Assoc Prof Guy Hawkins
Associate Professor
School of Psychological Sciences
I investigate how people focus on the right information and make effective decisions. My research explores the cognitive processes that underpin attention, information processing, and decision-making, from basic perception to complex real-world choices. My team and I use experiments, analyse diverse data sources, and develop models to better understand how people think and act. Our work aims to improve human performance and inform smarter designs in technology, safety, and decision-support systems.
Dr Quentin Gronau
Lecturer
School of Psychological Sciences
My research interests are mathematical psychology, where computational cognitive models are used to study behaviour and cognition, the theoretical development and practical implementation of Bayesian analyses, with a particular focus on Bayesian model comparison and computational methods for estimating Bayes factors, and open science. My current research focuses, among other topics, on AI-assisted decision making
Dr Rachael Wynne
Lecturer
School of Psychological Sciences
My research interests centre on the intersection of Human Factors and cognitive psychology – specifically the way experience and expectation influence our interactions with the environment, and the subsequent effect that has on our attention and memory. The research I have worked on covers a variety of areas related to memory, cognition, road safety, and human factors: false memory effects, working memory capacity, visual attention of novice and experienced drivers, beach driving, design of CCTV networks, hazard perception in cyclists, and experience in e-sports. I have worked with government and industry partners including working on multiple projects with the Australian Automobile Association related to distracted driving, and Innovate UK for the design of an Open Flight Deck
Former Group members
| Dr Titia Benders | Dr Ken Sutton | Dr Adam Osth |
| Dr Kerry Chalmers | Professor Simon Dennis | Dr Don van Ravenzwaaij |
| Professor Andrew Heathcote | Dr Emily Freeman |
Past Graduates
| Dr Asheek Shimul | Dr Murray Bennett | Dr Jon-Paul Cavallaro |
| Dr Reilly Innes | Dr Jade Goodman | Dr Zachary Howard |
| Dr Nathan Evans | Dr Pete Cassey | Dr Laura Hall |
| Dr Chris Donkin | Dr Dane Pobolka | Dr Pennie Gibbins |
| Dr Sam Curley | Dr Babette Rae | Dr Heidi Turon |
| Dr Melissa Prince | Dr Paul Garrett | Mr David Elliott |
| Dr Gabriel Tillman | Dr Beatrice Bora | Dr Phillipa McKay |
| Dr Lee Averell | Dr Paul Williams |
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.