Psychology | Institute of Population Health

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.

Read more about our staff Explore the latest news stories

Our research themes

Appetitive and addictive behaviour

This theme brings together world-leading researchers who are dedicated to understanding the complex mechanisms underpinning appetite control, food intake, and substance use, misuse and dependence.

Language, cognition and brain science

The aim of our researchers operating within the language, cognition, and brain science research theme is to understand the development and function of the human brain.

Lifespan, health and wellbeing

This theme explores how significant life events and social relationships impact health and wellbeing across the life-course.

Applied forensic and conflict

The applied forensic and conflict psychology research theme brings together three specialist groups to explore how people and organisations operate in high-pressure, high-risk, and ethically complex situations.

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.

Case studies

image from within the bottom of a bin of a banana peel about to be dropped into it.

The Food is Not Rubbish Project

The Food Is Not Rubbish project set out to explore and understand how schools can tackle the issue of food waste in the school dining room. When food ends up wasted, it undermines broader sustainability goals.

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.

The SCHOUSE Project

The SCHOUSE project seeks to better understand why people who live in social housing face difficulties in consuming a healthy diet and struggle to afford to eat, often needing to access food banks.

Facilities

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.

Key staff