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Research

Our department was ranked first nationwide in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.  We have over 20 groups performing ground-breaking basic and translational research.


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Teaching

As one of the leading psychology departments worldwide, our taught and research-based programmes provide exceptional educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

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Our Community

Find out what we are doing to support the well-being of our staff and students, create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and celebrate the successes of our alumni.


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From our Head of Department

Matthew Rushworth FRC


At the Oxford Department of Experimental Psychology, our mission is to conduct world-leading experimental research to understand the psychological and neural mechanisms relevant to human behaviour. Wherever appropriate, we translate our findings into evidence-based public benefits in mental health and wellbeing, education, industry, and policy. We aim to provide our students with an inspiring and immersive scientific education, and to train the next generation of outstanding researchers with theoretical rigour and cutting-edge methodologies in an inclusive, diverse, and international environment. We are committed to helping individuals thrive in a community that is free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying; and in which people treat one another with respect and dignity in a mutually supportive manner.

Professor Matthew Rushworth

Recent News

Smiling brunette man wearing black gown looks at camera. Headshot.

Can chatbots bridge the gap in parental support? A cautious optimism

Experimental Psychology DPhil Max Klapow recently authored an invited thinkpiece for Global Parenting Initiative, discussing his work on scalable interventions to prevent mental health problems in resource-limited settings, particularly low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Dr Miriam Klein-Flügge Wins Prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize

Dr Miriam Klein-Flügge has been awarded the prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize in Psychology for 2024. This award recognises outstanding researchers who have made significant contributions to their field early in their careers.

Professor Asifa Majid awarded the International Vigdís Prize

Asifa Majid, psychologist, linguist and cognitive scientist, is the 2024 recipient of the International Vigdís Prize, an award conferred for outstanding contributions to world languages and cultures. The award ceremony will take place in Reykjavík, Iceland, on October 22, 2024.

Child working at a computer

Transforming Childhood Anxiety Treatment

With one in five children and young people in England experiencing probable mental ill health, the need for accessible and effective mental health treatments has never been more pressing. Professor Cathy Creswell and her team at the Department, in collaboration with NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Oxford and Thames Valley (ARC OxTV) conceived and developed an innovative online intervention for childhood anxiety.

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