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Psychology researcher selected for prestigious British Academy scheme

Funding will allow Dr Teodora Gliga to run conference on human curiosity

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A Birkbeck psychology researcher has been selected for the prestigious British Academy's Rising Star Engagement (BARSEA) Scheme.

Dr Teodora Gliga, a programme leader for Infant Siblings Study at the College’s Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, has been awarded £14,232 for to carry out science engagement activity around the topics of early learning and human curiosity. 

The BARSEA scheme provides funding of up to £15,000 to distinguished early career researchers to assist their career development through organising interdisciplinary events for other early career researchers. 

Dr Gliga’s British Academy award will fund a conference on neurocuriosity, opened to scientists, students and education professionals. Titled, ‘Neuroscience in the playground: Bringing together psychology, education and technology to investigate human curiosity’, Dr Gliga’s successful application focused on two main activities:

  • A ‘research taster’ workshop aimed at prospective and current students from new programmes in education and neuroscience. This will aim to help students formulate career choices and research ideas by exposing them to the latest research into early learning as well as to voices from the field of education
  • The creation of tools for collaborative work, in the form of podcasts that illustrate the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of experimental approaches to understanding children's learning. Presented by early career researchers, these podcasts will be freely available to introduce research to parents, teachers and any other stakeholders

Regarding her award, Dr Gliga said: “It is great to be given the opportunity to share research findings with those most interested in their use. It is also exciting to work with the British Academy, and my mentor Annette Karmiloff-Smith, on disseminating my research to wider audiences.

“In this engagement activity, I will build on the wide interest in curiosity, and my own scientific investment in studying its developmental history, to foster collaboration between research and education.”

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