BU Psychology Volunteer Scheme

26/06/2026

An interesting study explores how thinking influences navigation.

As you may know, navigation plays an important role in everyday life, helping us move through our environment, plan routes, and remember where things are located. In this study, we are interested in how thinking skills such as decision-making and mental flexibility may influence the way people remember places and navigate their surroundings.

We are looking for participants who
• Are aged 40 and over without a neurological diagnosis
• Or are individuals of any age with a diagnosis of hydrocephalus

You will take part in a remote study conducted over Zoom, where you will complete a series of computer-based tasks with a researcher guiding you throughout. The session lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Participants will receive a £12 voucher as a thank you for your time. Sessions are available seven days a week.

If you are interested in taking part or would like more information, please email Chinwe Ekwuaju at [email protected].

26/06/2026

How does the brain process emoji faces compared to real human faces?

This neuroscience study explores how we process emoji faces, real human faces, and face-like objects (known as face pareidolia). The research investigates how the brain responds to different types of facial stimuli and whether they are processed in similar ways.

Using EEG, we measure brain activity while participants view a series of images and make simple judgments about whether a face is present and what emotion it conveys.

We are looking for participants to attend a single laboratory session at Bournemouth University at a convenient time.

You’ll take part in a 1.5-hour EEG study involving a simple computer-based task where you view images and make quick decisions about whether a face is present and what emotion it shows. Participants will receive £15 as a thank you for their time.

If you are interested in taking part or would like more information, please contact Madeline Molly Ely at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

25/06/2026

How do social and driving anxiety influence driving performance?

This study investigates how anxiety related to driving and social situations may affect driving behaviour and performance in a controlled driving simulator environment.

You will complete a simulated driving task and a set of questionnaires exploring thoughts and feelings about driving in social situations, along with standard anxiety measures.

We are looking for participants who:
• Are aged 18–70
• Are native-level English speakers
• Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision (including colour vision)
• Hold a valid driving licence
• Have not experienced a recent traumatic road traffic collision

You’ll take part in a single 1.5-hour, in-person, lab-based study at Bournemouth University’s Talbot Campus, involving a driving simulator and questionnaires. Participants will receive £15 or 1.75 SONA credits as a thank you for their time.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr Ellen Seiss at [email protected]

25/06/2026

Interested in taking part in a neuroscience study using mild transcranial electrical stimulation to explore how the brain processes faces?

This study examines whether mild transcranial electrical stimulation influences face identification and cognitive performance. It aims to clarify these effects and inform future neuroscience-based interventions.

We are looking for:
• Adults aged 18 and over (no upper age limit)
• Individuals of White ethnicity
• People with no history of neurological conditions
• Individuals without metal implants or plating in the head or skull

You’ll take part in a single laboratory session involving a behavioural task alongside mild transcranial electrical stimulation. The study takes approximately 75 minutes to complete, and participants will receive £15 as a thank you for their time.

If you are interested in taking part or would like more information, please contact Dr Robin Young at [email protected] or Dr Bryan Leong at [email protected]

24/06/2026

An ongoing study explores what people know about menopause and different approaches to managing menopause symptoms, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The research also aims to understand the experiences of people who have managed menopause symptoms and whether different groups, including autistic and other neurodivergent individuals, may benefit from tailored information and support.

We're looking for:
• People living in the UK
• Neurotypical, autistic, ADHD, or auDHD individuals
• Anyone who menstruates or has menstruated
• People who have not yet started menopause, are peri-menopausal, or are post-menopausal (within 11 years of their last period)

You'll:
• Complete an anonymous online survey (see link below; you can take a break and return to it at any time)
• Answer questions about your background, health and reproductive history, knowledge of menopause symptom management, and (where relevant) your experiences of managing menopause symptoms

If you have further queries or want to learn more, please contact Dr Rachel Moseley at [email protected]

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

24/06/2026

Interested in helping improve our understanding and treatment of dyslexia?

Researchers at Bournemouth University are looking for adults with and without a diagnosis of dyslexia to take part in our eye-tracking study to identify signs of dyslexia and improve our understanding of the condition and the interventions used to support individuals with dyslexia.

We are seeking participants who are aged 18 or over, are native English speakers, have normal or corrected-to-normal vision and normal hearing, and do not have any neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy).

The study involves two sessions at our eye-tracking laboratories on Bournemouth University’s Talbot Campus, with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes. Session times for Part 2 will be arranged after completion of Part 1. Participants will receive a £40 Amazon gift voucher on completion.

Interested in taking part or want to learn more? Please contact Dr Dr Julie Kirkby or Dr Federica Degno via [email protected]
for further information and to arrange participation.

We hope to hear from you!

01/04/2026

Been using ChatGPT? Interested in the future of healthcare?

An interesting study explores how people feel about using ChatGPT in mental healthcare, particularly for diagnosis and explanations, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. We are looking for individuals aged 18+ who are not currently, nor have previously been, a medical student or worked in a medical profession, and who are also not registered mental health professionals (e.g., psychiatrists or clinical psychologists). If eligible, you’ll be asked to complete a short online survey (approximately 10 minutes) sharing your views on this emerging area.

Interested in taking part or want to learn more? Contact Dr Ruijie Wang at [email protected] or click the link below to get started. We really appreciate your contribution to our research!

04/03/2026

An ongoing study explores whether sketching during an investigative interview can provide greater insight into how people tell the truth or lie.
Participants will go on a “secret mission” by taking part in a short interview task with the researcher, which includes sketching and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.

We’re looking for:
• Students aged 18 and over
• All genders welcome
• No drawing skills required

You’ll:
• Take part in a short interview task with sketching
• Complete the study at Bournemouth University, in Fusion or Poole House
• Receive 0.5 SONA credits as a thank you for taking part

Interested in taking part or want to learn more?
Contact Clarissa Lobo at 📧 [email protected]

03/03/2026

Can you help us study ways to cut back on sugar? 🍬

The average UK adult consumes more than double the recommended amount of free sugars, increasing the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes. This study at Bournemouth University aims to test simple and effective dietary strategies to reduce sugar intake while maintaining a tasty and enjoyable diet, examining the effects on diet, health, and public acceptance (Ethics ID: 61165).

We are looking for adults aged 18 and over who live in Bournemouth or the local area to take part in a 12-week study. Participants will follow simple dietary recommendations, attend three short test sessions at the university—including a blood glucose test, body measurements, and eating tasks—record their diet online, and complete short questionnaires. As a thank you, participants will receive free breakfast at every test session, a one-to-one diet consultation upon completion, and entry into a £50 shopping voucher prize draw.

To register your interest, visit the link below or contact Aleksandra Bielat at 📧 [email protected]
for more information.

02/03/2026

How do young men experience masculinity? 👤

Masculinity shapes how men think, feel, and behave, yet we still know relatively little about how it is understood in everyday life. This study at Bournemouth University explores how young men define and experience masculinity, what influences these views, and how masculinity relates to identity, behaviour, and emotional expression. The findings will contribute to a broader 3-year research project combining social and neuroscientific perspectives.

Who can take part:
• Men aged 18 to 24
• Must identify as a man

What you’ll do:
• One-to-one interview about your views on masculinity
• Interviews last 45–60 minutes
• Conducted in person at Bournemouth University or online via Microsoft Teams
• Participation is voluntary; you can withdraw up to 2 weeks after the interview

Interested or want to know more?
Contact Alec Caton-Bradley at 📧 [email protected]