Faculty Member, Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences
Lecturer in Psychology
Psychology
Thesis Title: An Investigation of Children’s Language Skills and Executive Function in Relation to Inattentiveness and Hyperactivity.
About
I graduated in Psychology from the former School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences (COGS) at University of Sussex in the UK where I studied Psychology, Linguistics, Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence. This was a very exciting time in Cognitive Science and the interdisciplinary atmosphere was exhilarating. After Sussex I moved to the Department of Psychology at University of Essex to do a PhD in 'ADHD and Children's Language'. There I was Senior Research Officer and then Temporary Lecturer teaching Reading Development and Reading Disorders. I have also held academic positions at London South Bank University teaching Developmental Psychology and Psychological Research Methods and lectured in Cognitive Psychology and Biological Psychology for The Open University. I am a full-time Lecturer in Psychology here at University of Derby and lead the following modules: 'Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD', Lifespan Development, Contemporary Issues in Psychology, and Psychology Skills. I am also the Associate Editor for Conferences for the British Psychological Society’s monthly publication The Psychologist.
Research/Academic Interests
My interests are grounded in the perspectives of Developmental and Cognitive academic Psychology as well as Information Technology. My primary research looks at the language and literacy skills of children who show symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I am also developing research that is investigating the language abilities of people diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In another area of research I am evaluating teaching and research in multi-user 3D virtual environments and the benefit of these for people with developmental disorders such as Asperger's Syndrome and Autism (Personal research Blog here). I am using correlation, experimental and action research methodologies.
Children's reading and language skills
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) & Hyperkinetic Disorder
Autistic Disorder & Asperger's Disorder
Virtual Psychology
Pedagogy in 3D multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs)
Academic Positions
Lecturer in Psychology (University of Derby) from Jan 2006.
Temporary Lecturer (University of Essex) Sept 2005 – Jan 2006.
Temporary Lecturer (London South Bank University) Sept 2005 – Jan 2006.
Associate Lecturer (Open University) Jan 2004 – Sept 2005.
Senior Research Officer (University of Essex) 2004 – 2005.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (University of Essex) Sept 2001 – Sept 2005.
E-Prime Tutor (Open University) Jul – Aug 2005, 2007.
Research Assistant (University of Essex) 2003 – 2004.
Academic Assistant (Open University) Jul – Aug 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004.
Residential School Tutor (Open University) Jul – Aug 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007.
Research Assistant (University of Sussex) 2000 – 2001.
Qualifications & Memberships
BA (Hons) in Psychology (University of Sussex) 1998 - 2001.
PhD (University of Essex) submitting 2008. Thesis Title: An Investigation of Children’s Language Skills and Executive Function in Relation to Inattentiveness and Hyperactivity.
Certificate in Competence in Educational Testing (CCET - Level A) (Undertaking).
Member (ex officio) of The Psychologist Policy Committee (PPC) - The British Psychological Society.
Member of the Centre for Psychological Research in Human Behaviour - University of Derby.
Member of the Neuropsychology and Development Research Group - University of Essex.
Member of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR).
Member of the Cognitive Section - The British Psychological Society.
Member of the Developmental Section - The British Psychological Society.
Professional Activities
Reviewer – British Journal of Educational Psychology; Psychology Teaching Review; Open University Press; International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders.
Grant Reviewer – Economic and Social Research Council.
Associate Editor (Conferences) The Psychologist – The British Psychological Society.
Additional Author in Braisby, N.R. & Gellatly, A.R.H. (Eds.) (2005). Cognitive Psychology. London, Oxford University Press.
Invited Speaker – King’s College London at Guy’s Hospital; University of Kent; University of Oxford.
Recent Publications
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles & Conference Posters
Bignell, S.J. & Cain, K. (2007). Pragmatic aspects of communication and language comprehension in groups of children differentiated by teacher ratings of inattention and hyperactivity. British Journal of Developmental Psychology. Volume 25, 499-512.
Bignell, S.J. (2007). Pragmatic Aspects of Children’s Language Skills. Poster presented at New Directions in Magnetoencephalography Conference at University of Derby.
Bignell, S.J. (2007). Executive Function and Inhibition in Children’s Language Skills. Poster presented at New Directions in Magnetoencephalography Conference at University of Derby.
Bignell, S.J. (2007). Differences in selective, sustained, and attentional control in groups of children differentiated by teacher ratings of inattention and hyperactivity. Poster presented at The British Psychological Society Cognitive Section Annual Conference. Aberdeen, UK.
Bignell, S.J. (2006). Inference Making In Children With Inattention And Hyperactivity. Poster presented at The British Psychological Society Annual Conference, Cardiff, UK.
Bignell, S.J. & Cain, K. (2004). Inferencing Skills In Children With High Levels Of Inattention And Hyperactivity. Interactive Paper presented at The Eleventh Annual Meeting of The Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR), Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Bignell, S.J. & Cain, K. (2004). Reading Comprehension Deficits In Children With ADHD Symptoms. Poster presented at The British Psychological Society Developmental Section Annual Conference. Leeds, UK. In Proceedings of the British Psychological Society Volume 13, No 1, February 2005. p.43.
Bignell, S.J. & Cain, K. (2003). Cognitive Inhibition Impairment in Children with Elevated Levels of Hyperactivity and Inattention. Poster presented at The British Psychological Society Developmental Section Annual Conference. Coventry, UK.
Bignell, S.J. (2003). Executive Inhibition Deficits In Individuals With Elevated Levels Of Hyperactivity And Inattention. Poster presented at The British Psychological Society Cognitive Section Annual Conference. Reading, UK. In Proceedings of the British Psychological Society Volume 12, No 2, August 2004. p.100.
Bignell, S.J. (2003). Differences In Executive Function Performance In Hyperactive And Inattentive Children. Poster presented at The British Psychological Society Annual Conference, Bournemouth, UK.
Bignell, S.J. & Cain, K. (2002). Children’s Language Skills And Their Relation To Hyperactivity-Impulsivity And Inattention. Poster presented at The British Psychological Society Developmental Section Annual Conference, Brighton, UK.
Bignell, S.J. (2002). Children's Language Skills And The Effects Of Poor Attention, Hyperactivity And Impulsivity. Poster presented at The British Psychological Society Annual Conference, Blackpool, UK.
Bignell, S.J. (2001). The Social Use Of Language In Children With Attentional Problems. Poster presented at The British Psychological Society VIIth European Congress of Psychology, London, UK.
Talks
Bignell, S.J. (2007). Second Life: A 3D Multi-User Virtual World. Presented to JISC Services, Upskilling - Exploiting Communication Channels Event at University of Oxford. Invited Speaker.
Bignell, S.J. & Sear, J. (2007). Second Life as a Teaching and Research Tool. Talk to Special Interest Group Meeting at University of Derby. Internal Event.
Bignell, S.J. (2007). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Talk to King’s College London at Guy’s Hospital. Invited Speaker
Bignell, S.J. (2006). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Children’s Language. Research Seminar Talk to Department of Psychology at University of Kent. Invited Speaker.
Bignell, S.J. & Cain, K. (2004). Attention, Inhibition And Higher Order Language Skill Deficits In ‘Undiagnosed’ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Talk at The British Psychological Society Annual Conference, London, UK. In Proceedings of the British Psychological Society Volume 12, No 2, August 2004. p.162.
Bignell, S.J. (2002). ADHD And Children's Language: 'Understanding The Hype'. Talk at The British Psychological Society Annual Conference, Blackpool, UK.
Bignell, S.J. (2001). Pragmatic Language Skills In Children With Attentional Problems. Talk to The British Psychological Society Centenary Conference at Glasgow, UK.
Book Reviews
Bignell, S.J. (2007) Review of the book Experimental Design and Statistics for Psychology: A first course. Psychology Teaching Review, 13 (1), p.59-60.
Conference Reports
Bignell, S.J. (2007). Driven to Distraction. The Psychologist, 20 (5), p.277.
Bignell, S.J. & Cleland, A. (2006). Older but wiser. The Psychologist, 19 (6), p.349.
Bignell, S.J. (2006). Don’t rally round to help drivers. The Psychologist, 19 (6), p.345-346.
Bignell, S.J. & Sutton, J. (2006). London Lectures. The Psychologist, 19 (2), p.70.
Bignell, S.J. (2005). Confident and Persuasive. The Psychologist, 18 (7), p.410.
Bignell, S.J. (2005). Performing To Potential. The Psychologist, 18 (2), p.62.
Bignell, S.J. (2005). Anarchy In The Brain. The Psychologist, 18 (2), p.62.
Bignell, S.J. (2005). Have A Safe Journey. The Psychologist, 18 (2), p.63.
Bignell, S.J. (2004). Fear and Loathing in Childhood. The Psychologist, 17 (7), p.387.
Bignell, S.J. (2004). Is Father Christmas real? The Psychologist, 17 (8), p.468.
Bignell, S.J. (2004). OK Computer. The Psychologist, 17 (7), p.388.
Bignell, S.J. (2004). Ruminating Depressively. The Psychologist, 17 (7), p.389.
Bignell, S.J. (2003). Something Smells Dishy. The Psychologist, 16 (7), p.367.
Bignell, S.J. (2003). The mother of all twin studies. The Psychologist, 16 (7), p.366.
Bignell, S.J. (2003). Beliefs, attitudes and suicide. The Psychologist, 16 (6), p.301.
Bignell, S.J. (2002). It’s Good To Talk. The Psychologist, 15 (7), p.351.
Bignell, S.J. (2002). Reliable Testimony? The Psychologist, 15 (6), p.303.
Bignell, S.J. (2002). Getting Your Forty Winks. The Psychologist, 15 (6), p.303.
Bignell, S.J. (2001). When Language Development Goes Awry. The Psychologist, 14 (9), p.482.
Bignell, S.J. (2001). The Foul-Mouthed Disease? The Psychologist, 14 (9), p.479.
Bignell, S.J. (2001). ADHD Across The Lifespan. The Psychologist, 14 (7), p.372.
Bignell, S.J. (2001). First Steps In The Art Of Conversation. The Psychologist, 14 (6), p.314.
Bignell, S.J. (2001). A Tower Of Achievement. The Psychologist, 14 (2), p.90.
Bignell, S.J. (2001). Pathways To Hopelessness. The Psychologist, 13 (7), p.345.
Bignell, S.J. (2001). Executive Impairment In Autism. The Psychologist, 13 (7), p.341.
Internet Articles and Reports
Bignell, S.J. (2007, April 12). Fantastic recollections. The Psychologist. Retrieved January 31 2008, from
http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/thepsychologist/extras/pages$/2007/
Bignell, S.J. (2007, April 12). Driven to distraction. The Psychologist. Retrieved January 31 2008, from
http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/thepsychologist/extras/pages$/2007/
Bignell, S.J. (2007, April 12). Treatment of Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorders: New perspectives in forensic settings. The Psychologist. Retrieved January 31 2008, from
http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/thepsychologist/extras/pages$/2007/
Bignell, S.J. (2006, June). Taking the p out of statistics. The Psychologist, 19(6), Retrieved January 31 2008, from http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/thepsychologist/search-the-psycholo
Bignell, S.J. (2005, July). Confident and Persuasive. The Psychologist (Web-based version), 18(7), Retrieved January 31 2008, from http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/thepsychologist/search-the-psycholo
Recent Press
Television
BBC 1 Television, East Midlands Today. The Virtual Journalist. Part 1. Aired 13th August 2007.
BBC 1 Television, East Midlands Today. The Virtual Journalist. Part 2. Aired 14th August 2007.
BBC 1 Television, East Midlands Today. The Virtual Journalist. Part 3. Aired 15th August 2007.
Radio Interviews (Local and National)
BBC Radio Derby, Breakfast Show, Gossip, 3rd May 2007. (5m 35sec).
BBC Radio Derby, Shane O'Connor Show, Intelligence Testing, 17th April 2007. (26m 17sec).
BBC Radio 1, Newsbeat, E-Mail Addiction, 21st February 2007. (1m 30sec).
BBC Radio Derby, Breakfast Show, Addictions, 22nd February 2007. (6m 18sec).
BBC Radio Derby, Breakfast Show, Grammar and Texting, 21st December 2006.
BBC Radio 4, Broadcasting House, Attention Spans, 16th September 2006. (2m 24sec).
BBC Radio Derby, Breakfast Show, Risk Taking, 9th August 2006. (10m 52sec).
BBC Radio Derby, Breakfast Show, Altruism, 27th July 2006. (12m 56sec).
BBC Radio Derby, Shane O'Connor Show, Optimism, 5th July 2006. (23m 25sec).
Newspaper Articles
Derbyshire Evening Telegraph, 'A testing time as I try to join Britain's brainiest.', 22nd May 2006.
Teaching & Departmental Responsibilities
Distance Learning
ADHD, Autism and Asperger's (6PS052) - Module Leader.
Lifespan Development (4PS028) Via Black Board - Module Leader.
Cognitive Psychology. Via video conferencing - Lecturer.
1st Year Undergraduate
Psychology Skills (4PS035) - Module Leader.
Statistics in Psychology (4PS018) - Seminar Leader.
Developmental Psychology (4PS014) - Lecturer.
2nd Year Undergraduate
Contemporary Issues in Psychology (5PS023) - Module Leader.
The Psychology of 'Pop Psychology'. Module currently in preparation.
3rd Year Undergraduate
Autism, Asperger's and ADHD (6PS048) - Module Leader.
Masters
Promoting Health Across the Lifespan (7PS016) - Seminar Leader.
Departmental Roles
Schools Liaison Coordinator.
Psychometric Test Bank Coordinator.
Interests
I am a keen fencer (Épée) and former President and first team member of the University of Essex Fencing Club. I have choreographed sword-fight scenes in amateur dramatic productions and have demonstrated sport fencing at London’s Science Museum at the 'Science of Sport' Exhibition on behalf of The British Fencing Association. In 2004 I received Full Sporting Colours from the University of Essex. I fence at regional club level and compete across the country.
Contact Information
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01332 593043 |
