Department of Psychology

Improving our understanding of the brain and behaviour.

The Department has a strong history and reputation for excellence, owing its origins to Nobel Laureate, Sir Charles Sherrington, who founded a laboratory at the University in 1895, specifically to study behaviour.

We conduct world-leading, translational research spanning basic and fundamental (neuro)science to applied research in industry, health-care, and behaviour change.

Our research ethos is multi-disciplinary and collaborative, with a focus on quality and impact. We are a vibrant and ambitious department, which is welcoming and supportive to all.

In REF 2021, 88% of our research was ranked as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*). We were placed joint first in the UK for our world leading (4*) environment and ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Research Power.

We are committed to excellence in scholarship, teaching and nurturing students to their full potential.

Staff in the Department of Psychology

News

Research studies

Our challenges

Substance use, misuse and dependence

We investigate how psychoactive substances work in the brain, the effects they produce, and how this affects behaviour and broader society.
Forensic, investigative and conflict psychology

We work with and deliver education, training and research to reduce suffering and saves lives (in health, law enforcement, security, emergency and defence services).
Informing and evaluating public health policies to improve dietary health and reduce obesity

We conduct and synthesise research to help inform the design and implementation of public health policies related to dietary health and obesity.
Cognitive and clinical neuroscience

We aim is to further understanding of the neurobiological and psychological foundations of cognitive and sensory functions in the human brain.
The development of language in childhood

We use multi-method approaches to study how children learn to communicate with language, how the developing brain supports this process, and how it is affected by cross-linguistic, socio-cultural and individual variation.
Transforming the UK Food System for health, sustainability and equity

Our research seeks to understand the strategies, interventions and policies that are needed to promote better access to healthy and sustainable foods in an equitable way.
Pain Research

We investigate brain mechanisms by which the conscious experience of pain (both experimental and clinical) is generated and how brain states influence pain-related behaviour.
Improving emergency responses

We are working alongside Merseyside Fire and Rescue examining responses to major incidents to improve emergency response training.
Multi-agency information sharing and co-ordination

We are working with various forces focusing on multi-agency responses to missing persons, in particular children.

Research centres

LuCiD – The ESRC International Centre for Language and Communicative Development

Working with partners from across the world to transform our understanding of how children learn to communicate with language.

Liverpool Obesity Research Network

Research units and laboratories based across the University of Liverpool, Aintree University Hospital and Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital Trusts.

Unilever Brain and Behaviour Collaboration

The Unilever Brain and Behaviour collaboration is a long-term partnership between Unilever and behavioural neuroscientists in the Psychology Department.

chemistry

Research groups

Appetite and Obesity

Forensic, Investigative and Conflict Psychology

Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience

Substance use, misuse and dependence

Case studies

Unhealthy food advertising to children: Impacting on a watershed policy

Our research showed that a 9pm watershed on unhealthy food advertising on television would reduce childhood obesity, improve health outcomes and deliver substantial health cost benefits.

Improving the Effectiveness of Decision Making and Communication in Law Enforcement, Defence, Emergency and Security Services

Our researchers have developed new interview, decision support, and evaluation tools, educational practices, training and guidelines that have increased public safety by improving access to life saving intelligence and critical incident preparedness.

Facilities

The Liverpool Human Ingestive Behaviour Laboratory

One of the largest facilities in Europe dedicated to the study of appetite and ingestive behaviour. It consists of a research kitchen, multi-use laboratories, a media analysis suite, and a participant lounge.
Bar Laboratory

For research investigating contextual influences on drinking behaviour, and the acute effects of alcohol on cognitive processes such as the automatic processing of drug-related cues, behavioural control and impulsivity.
EEG Laboratory

Hosting 2 EGI Geodesics 128 channel EEG systems in electrically shielded rooms, 2 Biosemi 64 channel EEG systems (one with electrical shielding) and 1 Brain Products 64 channel EEG system with a MOVE wireless system.
Visual and Audio-visual Laboratory

Supporting our research in visual and auditory psychophysics, and haptic testing. The research is conducted in the general public but also clinical and neurological patient populations.
Brain and Behaviour Laboratory

Supporting the work of the Department’s Appetite and Perception research groups, this laboratory incorporates state-of-the-art facilities, flexible testing spaces, a research kitchen, a Wet Lab and a cutting-edge 128-channel electroencephalography system.
Digital Innovation Facility

Providing a new home for world-leading research dedicated to maximising the possibilities of emerging technologies.