Dr Katie Gilligan-Lee
Academic and research departments
School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Development, Education, Language and Outreach in Psychology (DevELOP) Research Group.About
Biography
Katie completed an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin (2012) followed by a MPhil in Psychology and Education at the University of Cambridge (2013). She obtained her PhD in Developmental Psychology from University College London (UCL) before joining the University of Surrey as a Lecturer in October 2018.
University roles and responsibilities
- Programme Leader for MSc Developmental Psychology in Research and Practice
My qualifications
ResearchResearch interests
My research focuses on how an understanding of cognitive development, can be used to inform and improve education. My current research specifically focuses on spatial and mathematical development, in both typical and atypical populations. I am interested in understanding the factors that influence success in mathematics including: cognitive predictors such as spatial thinking, memory and language; affective predictors like mathematics anxiety; and early home factors like mathematical play and spatial language exposure. My research portfolio includes a range of methodological approaches such as secondary analysis of nationally representative cohort study data, e.g., the Millennium Cohort Study; meta-analyses; cross-sectional experimental-based approaches to studying development; and intervention-based research.
Some more specific research topics that I am currently working on include:
- Spatial development in Down Syndrome
- Associations between spatial thinking and maths in Down Syndrome
- Technology-use in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders
- The development of spatial language skills
- Cognitive training and interventions in childhood
- The role of affectional factors such as maths anxiety on maths performance
- The role of the early home environment on mathematics outcomes
- The effect of exercise on cognitive outcomes
- The development of executive functions
Research interests
My research focuses on how an understanding of cognitive development, can be used to inform and improve education. My current research specifically focuses on spatial and mathematical development, in both typical and atypical populations. I am interested in understanding the factors that influence success in mathematics including: cognitive predictors such as spatial thinking, memory and language; affective predictors like mathematics anxiety; and early home factors like mathematical play and spatial language exposure. My research portfolio includes a range of methodological approaches such as secondary analysis of nationally representative cohort study data, e.g., the Millennium Cohort Study; meta-analyses; cross-sectional experimental-based approaches to studying development; and intervention-based research.
Some more specific research topics that I am currently working on include:
- Spatial development in Down Syndrome
- Associations between spatial thinking and maths in Down Syndrome
- Technology-use in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders
- The development of spatial language skills
- Cognitive training and interventions in childhood
- The role of affectional factors such as maths anxiety on maths performance
- The role of the early home environment on mathematics outcomes
- The effect of exercise on cognitive outcomes
- The development of executive functions
Teaching
Katie teaches on the following modules:
- Mental Health Across the Lifespan (module leader)
- Developmental Psychology 2
- Psychology and Education