AI technologies — large language models and adaptive tutoring systems — offer promising avenues for enhancing learning outcomes and supporting cognitive processes. Our research explores the potential of personalised AI feedback to correct misconceptions, deepen understanding, and effect lasting changes in beliefs and knowledge. We’re investigating AI-driven dialogues’ efficacy in rectifying misconceptions in cognitive psychology and related fields, with implications for educational settings and public comprehension of complex issues. This work not only advances AI-assisted learning but also informs human cognition. Studying human-AI interactions yields insights into the cognitive mechanisms underpinning knowledge acquisition, belief updating, and conceptual change. Central to our inquiry is AI’s unique persuasive power in educational contexts — we’re examining its learning benefits alongside its implications for critical thinking in an increasingly AI-driven world. This dual focus allows us to harness AI’s potential while remaining mindful of its broader impact on cognitive development.

Our research examines the wide range of cognitive biases that shape human judgment and decision-making across various domains. We study visual biases in forensic science and complex cognitive biases in everyday reasoning, exploring how these mental shortcuts influence our thinking. Our work on fingerprint identification revealed how contextual information can influence even expert decision-making, challenging assumptions about objectivity in forensic analysis. Currently, we’re investigating how different types of expertise and cognitive strategies might help overcome biases in critical areas such as financial forecasting, medical diagnosis, and public health policy-making. By combining insights from cognitive science with AI-driven approaches, we aim to improve human reasoning and problem-solving in real-world scenarios. Our goal is to connect theoretical understanding with practical application, promoting more rational decision-making in high-stakes environments where clear thinking is paramount.

Our team is developing a comprehensive framework to study insight or “Aha!” moments – those sudden realisations that can dramatically shift understanding and shape beliefs. We’re expanding on the Eureka heuristic by examining multiple facets of insight experiences, including their depth, “mystical” qualities, and the challenge of putting them into words. Our research explores how these dimensions relate to an individual’s propensity to experience insights. We’re particularly curious about the role these sudden revelations play in forming and maintaining beliefs, especially those related to conspiracy theories and paranormal phenomena. By measuring various aspects of insight experiences and tracking their influence on belief systems, we aim to uncover the cognitive processes driving belief formation and change. This work not only advances our understanding of how people arrive at new ideas but also offers potential strategies for promoting critical thinking and addressing misinformation. Through our novel methods, we aim to reveal how these “lightbulb moments” shape our worldview and influence our decisions.

Our collaboration with the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Ambulance Service focuses on understanding resilience in forensic investigators and first responders. This multi-phase project explores how these professionals maintain their well-being and performance despite frequent exposure to traumatic events. We’re combining in-depth qualitative interviews, specially designed cognitive tasks, and advanced physiological measures to pinpoint the traits and skills that contribute to resilience. By examining how these professionals process and respond to challenging stimuli, we’re uncovering the cognitive strategies that allow them to thrive in high-stress environments. This research has far-reaching implications, potentially informing recruitment practices, refining training programs, and developing targeted support strategies for professionals in high-stress fields. Our findings could lead to interventions that not only enhance individual well-being but also improve public safety by ensuring that these critical professionals can perform at their best under challenging circumstances.