Kia Nobre has now stepped down as the Head of Department after six years at the helm. She saw Experimental Psychology through many changes and upheavals, including the tragic loss of our previous head, the sudden closure of the Tinbergen Building and then, of course the pandemic. She not only steered the Department through these challenges with unwavering dedication and leadership, but also ensured it thrived. Indeed, they remain among the handful of top psychology departments in the world and ranked as the top psychology department in the UK in the Complete University Guide’s 2022 league table.
In her spare time, Kia spearheaded the development of many aspects of human cognitive neuroscience at Oxford, not just in EP but also directing OHBA, often introducing many of us to techniques that we now all take for granted. The new undergraduate degree and Life and Mind Building will be lasting legacies reflecting her time as HoD.
Matthew Rushworth, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, has stepped forwards to be the interim HoD for the
Matthew said, "I will be the interim HoD for the rest of this academic year. While I hope that I will be catching up with many of you over the coming months, my chief desire is for a period of calm and time to continue to re-establish our research programmes."