About Dr Sophie Cormack
I obtained a BA (Hons) Psychology with Computer Models from the University of Sussex in 1988. This was pretty much a degree in cognitive psychology during which I took some modules in computing, philosophy, logic, and linguistics. To continue studying this combination of subjects, I enrolled for a PhD in Cognitive Science and Natural Language at Edinburgh University (taking modules in psychology, philosophy, computational linguistics and formal semantics). I obtained my PhD in 1993 on the representation of entities in text and how pronouns are used to refer back to them.
I started working at the University of Sunderland in 1992. I am now a Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology.
My research interests include student learning and assessment, motivation, learning analytics, perception of time: estimating duration of events and procrastination.
Teaching and supervision
My main teaching is in Cognitive Psychology and Research Methods (particularly Quantitative Research Methods: Experimental Design and Statistics), which I have taught from first year undergraduate to master's level. I am module leader for PSYM61 Experimental Design and Analysis in Psychology and PSYM66 Everyday Motivations and Biases (both on the MSc Psychology masters conversion course) and I also teach into undergraduate second year statistics and cognitive psychology, and supervise projects.
I also teach some additional topics which cut across different areas of the discipline such as topics in cognitive forensic psychology (e.g., lie detection, eye-witness testimony, false confessions), perception of time, and academic procrastination, and supervise projects in these areas on the modules Empirical Project and Research Project.
In 2018/19, I was a Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Fellow, working with students as partners and co-creators to develop immersive and interactive audiovisual learning materials.
Interests
I am able to supervise projects in academic procrastination, lie detection through verbal cues, perception of time over short time-intervals, and pedagogical projects.
Research
My main current area of research is in the use of learning analytics to detect student motivation and time-management patterns and their relationship with academic performance. I am also working on a project comparing the effects of emotive auditory and visual images on the perception of time. I also carry out pedagogical action research when I can, to evaluate the impact of changes I make in my teaching.
Further information
I am on a 0.8 contract (4 days a week).
I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.