Dr Alastair Smith

    Overview

    Profile summary

    I am an Associate Professor (Reader) in the School of Psychology. My work concentrates on the cognitive and neural processes by which we use spatial information to interact with the world around us. Much of the current research in my laboratory focuses on the processes that allow us to search, navigate, and represent our location within different environments. This work has concentrated on the typical development of spatial abilities (in adults and children) and atypical development in individuals with Hydrocephalus, Williams Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Conditions, as well as changes associated with typical and pathological ageing. I also conduct research on neuropsychological assessment, with a particular focus on drawing behaviour. This has involved detailed individual case and group studies of neurological patients with acquired disorders of spatial representation in various functional domains (i.e. integrative agnosia, constructional apraxia, hemispatial neglect). I have employed and developed a broad range of methods to study these behaviours, including virtual reality, GPS tracking, and transcranial electrical stimulation. 

    I currently hold the following roles within the University:

    • Deputy Head of the School of Psychology 
    • Head of the Cognition and Behaviour Lab, Brain Research and Imaging Centre (BRIC)
    • Mind and Brain theme lead, Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR)

    Professional memberships

    • Higher Education Academy (Fellow)
    • Applied Vision Association (Life member)
    • British Neuropsychological Society
    • Experimental Psychology Society (Committee member: 2018-2021)
    • NSF Spatial Intelligence and Learning Center (SILC) Spatial Network

    Teaching interests

    I currently teach on the following Undergraduate and Masters modules:
    • PSYC412 Psychological Science (Module Lead)
    • PSYC416 Connecting Psychology
    • PSYC514 Individual Differences, Social and Developmental Psychology
    • PSYC605 Research Project
    • PSYC606 Applications of Psychological Theory
    • PSYC704 Individual Differences, Social and Developmental Psychology
    • PSYC707 MSc Research Project

    Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

    In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

    • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

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