Mr Robert Harlow

I am a PhD Psychology Researcher with the School of Psychology - Faculty of Health at Plymouth University. I also mark and teach on a variety of Psychology modules both Undergraduate and Foundation years. I also co-run the ReproducibiliTea journal club at Plymouth University - discussing the importance of the open science movement and the reproducibility crisis, of which I am very passionate about.

Prior to this, I worked as a Behavioral Teaching Assistant in a special needs school for Autistic and ADHD children, and as an Independent Custody Visitor for The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). I also worked as a Research Assistant in 2019 with Bournemouth University and the OPCC on a report entitled 'Improving Experiences in Dorset Police Custody Centers' .

I have also completed a MSc in Investigative Forensic Psychology, a BA (hons) Human Behavioral Studies, and an FdA Counselling Studies. 

2018: MSc - Investigative Forensic Psychology (Bournemouth University)

2017: BA (hons) -  Human Behavioral Studies (Plymouth University)

2016: FdA - Counselling Studies (Plymouth University)

Postgraduate Member of the Experimental Psychology Society (EPS)
Conferences attended: 
Experimental Psychology Society Meeting - January 2023 - London
Experimental Psychology Society Meeting - April 2023 - Plymouth
University of Plymouth School of Psychology Conference - June 2023
Experimental Psychology Society Meeting - July 2023 - Swansea

Experimental Psychology Society Meeting - Janurary 2024 - London

Experimental Psychology Society Meeting - Janurary 2024 - London

I work as a part-time marker and demonstrator for Undergraduate Psychology on a variety of modules. 

My current research project is titled: 'Predictive Action Perception in Autism and Schizophrenia'.
My research interests focus on the social dynamics, visual perception and interpersonal synchrony associated with Autism and Schizophrenia. I am focused on identifying interpersonal differences in the mechanisms that underline social prediction within these conditions. My work utilizes motion capture technology to measure atypical fine motor movements in Autism and Schizophrenia. I am further interested in examining how non-verbal communication and the perception of such may impact social preference of those with these conditions.
I became interested with this research area through my previous role as a Behavioural Teaching Assistant in a special needs school and through my own personal experiences with Autism throughout my life.
One quote within this subject area I often recite is that of Jim Sinclair (1998), who is a famous author and activist with Autism: “Grant me the dignity of meeting me on my own terms - recognise that we are equally alien to each other and that my ways of being are not merely damaged versions of yours”.

I have a personal interest in forensic and criminal psychology, facial expression and anatomical analytics, second-person neuroscience, the open science movement, and counselling psychology. 

I organized the University of Plymouth School of Psychology conference (June 2023). 

PhD School of Psychology Student Representative 2022 - 2023 

Part Time Teaching/Marking 2022 - ongoing

Co-host of the ReproducibiliTea journal club 2023 - Ongoing

www.robertharlowphd.com