PhD Supervision
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Working with talented postgraduate students is always enjoyable and intellectually stimulating experience. I am willing to supervise PhD students who have interest in everyday cognition and types of tasks and phenomena listed on the home page of this website. However, if you have a brilliant research idea how to study new memory phenomena and questions or use novel methods to study current topics of interest, please, get in touch. I am always open to new ideas and suggestions, and I am very grateful to all my former and current PhD students for taking me to new unexplored territories. PhD supervision is like an interesting adventure that does not end at the completion.
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VIVAS and examination
I have acted as external examiner and assessor for several PhDs completed in the UK and outside the UK (e.g., in Canada, Australia, India). I have also examined MSc by research and a Doctorate in Psychology.
Current phd students
Name: Julio Llamos Alonso
Start Date: March, 2019 (f/t)
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili, Angelica Ortiz de Gortari
(University of Liege), George Georgiou (UH)
Title: Behavioural and neural mechanisms of the Game
Transfer Phenomena: The role of cognitive, emotion and
personality variables
Julio's PhD project, funded by the Mexican Government, examines the Game Transfer Phenomena (GTP) and its underpinning mechanisms using a variety of methods (experimental, correlational, diaries, EEG, etc). The term GTP was coined by one of the supervisors (Ortiz de Gortari & Griffiths, 2012), and refers to the transfer of video game experiences into the gamers' everyday life in the form of altered sensory perceptions, automatic mental processes, behaviours and actions with the video game content. It is expected that the project will result in new insights into behavioural and neural mechanisms of this little studied phenomenon and its relationship to other related spontaneous cognitions such as mind-wandering, involuntary memories and involuntary musical imagery.
Name: Brigita Brazauskiene
Start Date: September 2018 (f/t)
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili, Ioanna Markostamou (UH) and
Kunle Ashaye (NHS, UH)
Title: The nature and frequency of cognitive failures in Mild
Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's disease: Using a diary
method with patients and their carers
Brigita’s PhD project capitalises on findings obtained in previous PhD and externally funded projects, which examined the nature of everyday cognitive failures in healthy young and older adults and people with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Our initial findings have shown the suitability of a structured diary method for studying cognitive errors and memory lapses committed by people in the course of their everyday lives and how these errors relate to their performance on laboratory tasks of memory and attention. The aim of Brigita’s PhD is to replicate and substantially extend these initial findings in an attempt to help the clinicians to improve early diagnosis of the Alzheimer's disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment, as well as the quality of life of patients and their carers.
Past PhD Students
Name: Benjamin Plimpton
PhD(p/t) Completed: August, 2020
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili (UH), Chris Brewin (UCL), Joerg Schulz (UH)
Title: Studying intrusive memories in clinical and non clinical samples: Implications for therapy
The primary aim of the project is to explore the therapeutic effects of keeping a diary of intrusive memories in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Given that most data on intrusive memories has been collected via retrospective self-reports using questionnaires and interviews, a secondary aim is to examine the nature and frequency of such memories in daily life using a diary method. Finally, the project explores the role of cues in triggering intrusive memories, using both a diary and novel laboratory method.
PhD(p/t) Completed: August, 2020
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili (UH), Chris Brewin (UCL), Joerg Schulz (UH)
Title: Studying intrusive memories in clinical and non clinical samples: Implications for therapy
The primary aim of the project is to explore the therapeutic effects of keeping a diary of intrusive memories in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Given that most data on intrusive memories has been collected via retrospective self-reports using questionnaires and interviews, a secondary aim is to examine the nature and frequency of such memories in daily life using a diary method. Finally, the project explores the role of cues in triggering intrusive memories, using both a diary and novel laboratory method.
Name: Andrew Laughland
PhD (f/t) Completed: June, 2017
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili, Keith Laws (UH), Steve Davies (NHS)
Title: Methodological issues of quantifying everyday memory phenomena with paper and electronic diaries.
The project examined new methodologies in cognitive psychology by developing novel smartphone apps to gather naturalistic data on a variety of phenomena (e.g., involuntary memories, hearing voices, memory errors). Of key importance in this research was that participants used their own smartphone, which they were likely to have with them at all times, compared with a paper diary or a loaned electronic device, which would be an additional burden to carry and use. In contrast with many health apps that treat, mentor or provide information to users, Andrew's apps gather diagnostic data about healthy participants and clinical patients. The method has huge potential in academic research and clinical settings, but needs to be used appropriately.
PhD (f/t) Completed: June, 2017
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili, Keith Laws (UH), Steve Davies (NHS)
Title: Methodological issues of quantifying everyday memory phenomena with paper and electronic diaries.
The project examined new methodologies in cognitive psychology by developing novel smartphone apps to gather naturalistic data on a variety of phenomena (e.g., involuntary memories, hearing voices, memory errors). Of key importance in this research was that participants used their own smartphone, which they were likely to have with them at all times, compared with a paper diary or a loaned electronic device, which would be an additional burden to carry and use. In contrast with many health apps that treat, mentor or provide information to users, Andrew's apps gather diagnostic data about healthy participants and clinical patients. The method has huge potential in academic research and clinical settings, but needs to be used appropriately.
Name: Dilini Jayalah
PhD (p/t) Completed: November, 2016
Supervisors: Ashaye Kunle (NHS, UH), Lia Kvavilashvili
Title: A reverse journey in dementia - a clinician's research journey leading to the development of carers' diaries
Dilini’s research journey in dementia had gone from end stage dementia, managing challenging behaviour problems, admissions to dementia assessment wards and then to the proposed research using carers’ diaries in patients presenting to a memory clinic. The final phase of this journey was to assess the role that carers’ diaries may play in the assessment of management in patients with dementia who attend a memory clinic or are newly referred.
PhD (p/t) Completed: November, 2016
Supervisors: Ashaye Kunle (NHS, UH), Lia Kvavilashvili
Title: A reverse journey in dementia - a clinician's research journey leading to the development of carers' diaries
Dilini’s research journey in dementia had gone from end stage dementia, managing challenging behaviour problems, admissions to dementia assessment wards and then to the proposed research using carers’ diaries in patients presenting to a memory clinic. The final phase of this journey was to assess the role that carers’ diaries may play in the assessment of management in patients with dementia who attend a memory clinic or are newly referred.
Name: Ia Elua
PhD (p/t) Completed: March, 2008
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili, Keith Laws (UH), John Done (UH).
Title: Involuntary semantic memories and thought suppression in patients with schizophrenia.
Current Position: Psychotherapist/Senior Supervisor, Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Jewish Board of Family and Children Services (JBFCS), Brooklyn, NY.
The principal aim of the thesis was to investigate the nature, frequency and underlying mechanisms of mind-pops in schizophrenia population. An additional aim was to study thought suppression and other mental control strategies in schizophrenia patients, as well as to test the hypothesis about the schizophrenia patients’ increased tendency to suppress their intrusive thoughts and hallucinations.
PhD (p/t) Completed: March, 2008
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili, Keith Laws (UH), John Done (UH).
Title: Involuntary semantic memories and thought suppression in patients with schizophrenia.
Current Position: Psychotherapist/Senior Supervisor, Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Jewish Board of Family and Children Services (JBFCS), Brooklyn, NY.
The principal aim of the thesis was to investigate the nature, frequency and underlying mechanisms of mind-pops in schizophrenia population. An additional aim was to study thought suppression and other mental control strategies in schizophrenia patients, as well as to test the hypothesis about the schizophrenia patients’ increased tendency to suppress their intrusive thoughts and hallucinations.
Name: Simone Schlagman
PhD (f/t) Completed: July, 2007
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili, Joerg Schulz (UH), Diana Kornbrot (UH)
Title: The nature and mechanisms of involuntary and voluntary autobiographical memory
Current Position: Member of Editorial team, Marine Ecology Progress Series (MEPS), Inter-Research Science Centre, Hamburg, Germany
The primary focus of the project was to study and compare underlying mechanisms of involuntary and voluntary autobiographical memories as a function of age and dysphoria. In addition, a new method of eliciting and testing involuntary autobiographical memories in the laboratory was developed. This method successfully captures and measures transient involuntary memories under controlled laboratory conditions and produces valid and replicable results.
PhD (f/t) Completed: July, 2007
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili, Joerg Schulz (UH), Diana Kornbrot (UH)
Title: The nature and mechanisms of involuntary and voluntary autobiographical memory
Current Position: Member of Editorial team, Marine Ecology Progress Series (MEPS), Inter-Research Science Centre, Hamburg, Germany
The primary focus of the project was to study and compare underlying mechanisms of involuntary and voluntary autobiographical memories as a function of age and dysphoria. In addition, a new method of eliciting and testing involuntary autobiographical memories in the laboratory was developed. This method successfully captures and measures transient involuntary memories under controlled laboratory conditions and produces valid and replicable results.
Name: James Erskine
PhD (f/t) Completed: July 2004
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili, Diana Kornbrot (UH)
Title: How paradoxical are the effects of thought suppression? The nature of mental control and factors that influence it
Current Position: Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Behavioural Medicine, St.George's, University of London.
The PhD research attempted to expand knowledge of intentional thought control in several directions. The primary aim was to provide an account of intentional thought suppression by relating the phenomenon to the methods used to assess the rebound effect, internal personality factors and psychopathology. An additional aim was to examine the rebound effect from the broader perspective of relating thought suppression to ageing, the perception of volitional control and memory for future intentions.
PhD (f/t) Completed: July 2004
Supervisors: Lia Kvavilashvili, Diana Kornbrot (UH)
Title: How paradoxical are the effects of thought suppression? The nature of mental control and factors that influence it
Current Position: Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Behavioural Medicine, St.George's, University of London.
The PhD research attempted to expand knowledge of intentional thought control in several directions. The primary aim was to provide an account of intentional thought suppression by relating the phenomenon to the methods used to assess the rebound effect, internal personality factors and psychopathology. An additional aim was to examine the rebound effect from the broader perspective of relating thought suppression to ageing, the perception of volitional control and memory for future intentions.