FEB 2010

Congratulations to Professor Peter Hancock for being one of the winners of the 2009 BBC Focus Awards.

Alongside Professor Vicki Bruce (Newcastle University) and Dr Charlie Frowd (University of Central Lancashire), this award was received for their development of the EvoFIT system, which was devised to make it easier for witnesses to produce a more accurate photofit of a suspect.

The witness is shown several faces and asked to choose the ones that are most similar to the suspect. Those faces are then mixed together to create a set of composites, which are then put up for selection again. This system creates a much more accurate picture of the suspect rather than choosing random pieces of the face. Both Lancashire and Derbyshire constabularies are arleady using EvoFit, and reporting great success with the system.

This is the first time that the BBC Focus Awards have run. The science and technology magazine aims to recognise the best of British innovation.

www.evofit.co.uk/

DEC 2009: BBC Radio 4 'All in the Mind'

Is working memory a better measure of learning than IQ? Dr. Alloway's research on the importance of working memory in education was featured in a recent broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 programme: 'All in the Mind'. LISTEN

NOV 2009: Congratulations to Professor Buchanan-Smith

Professor Buchanan-Smith was appointed to the Animal Procedures Committee, an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body established and appointed under the terms of sections 19 and 20 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Their role is to advise the Home Secretary on matters concerned with the Act and his functions under it, relating to any experimental or other scientific procedures applied to a protected animal which may have the effect of causing that animal pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm; and also, to examine other related subjects they consider worthy of further study. FIND OUT MORE

OCT 2009: Working Memory Predicts Learning Outcomes

The traditional reliance on IQ as a benchmark for academic success is misguided, according to a new study of school children conducted over six years.

The research, which tested children at five years old and again at eleven, found that a child’s success in literacy and numeracy is down to how good their working memory is regardless of IQ score.

The team, from Stirling University, say their unique finding is important as it addresses concerns that general intelligence, still viewed as a key predictor of academic success, is unreliable.  They conclude that an individual can have an average IQ score but perform poorly in learning.

The authors suggest schools should focus on assessing working memory – the ability to hold information in your head and manipulate it mentally - in primary school children as it is the best predictor of reading, spelling and math skills six years later.

The researchers say problems with working memory can be easily addressed in schools and see this as an advantage over IQ which is more difficult to influence by teachers.  Early intervention in working memory could lead to a reduction in the number of failing schools and help address the problem of under-achievement in schools, say the researchers.

The study also found that, as opposed to IQ, working memory is not linked to the parents’ level of education or socio-economic background.  This means all children regardless of background or environmental influence can have the same opportunities to fulfil potential if working memory is assessed and problems addressed where necessary, according to the psychologists.

READ it in the PSYCHOLOGIST

 

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