Research and Impact

The institutes of cognitive neuroscience and wellbeing research endeavour to understand the human mind and brain, using cognitive and neurocognitive methods to study language, action, social behaviour, perception and physical and mental health, both for the advancement of science and to promote rehabilitation and care. The institutes of elite performance and applied human physiology are dedicated to guide the future of sport, health, exercise and human performance science. These interdisciplinary and cross-collaborative institutes are the product of a merger between two of our most high performing and exceptional schools. In the recent Research Excellence Framework Exercise, 86% of Psychology were rated as either 3* or 4* and 100% of Sport Science were rated 3* or 4*. Sport Science were 5th overall in the UK. Psychology were 17th in the UK for the societal impact of its research. Our research environment is supported by in-house, state of the art equipment and resources including a research-dedicated 3T MRI, supporting fMRI, MRS and DTI; multiple eye-tracking labs; high-density EEG; and MRI-guided stimulation techniques including TMS and tDCS.

Economic and Social Impact is at the heart of our Research Culture. We have changed the world through our rich network of collaborators including businesses, charities, governments and other institutions across the globe. We have found ways to improve learning opportunities of millions of children in low- and medium-income countries who see their learning outcomes reduced by harsh punishment by caregivers. Our researchers have developed world-leading Mindfulness-Based Interventions (Teaching Assessment Criteria tools, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction). We have led an international group of researchers to develop the first freely available online Multilanguage Assessment Battery of Early Literacy (MABEL) used by more than 750 practitioners in 22 countries. We train sport coaches and have developed interventions to improve mental toughness in elite athletes that saw England win the 2019 Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time in their history. At Bangor the School of Psychology and Sport Science researchers reach out to the community to improve their sports performance and wellbeing in rugby, football, golf or cricket. We take advantage of our very impressive natural surroundings to research about the physical and psychological impact of outdoor living. At Bangor we help shaping behaviours that promote a healthier and more sustainable world.