The BRAINS Lab
Transforming behavioural research for a better digital future.
The BRAINS Lab
The 'Behavioural Research Analytics In Neurotechnological Systems' (BRAINS) Lab, is a nationally leading research and innovation facility that pioneers the application of human sciences expertise in next-generation technology development.
Through cutting-edge research partnerships, The BRAINS Lab provides behavioural analytics and user experience insights to help define an ethical, inclusive and sustainable digital future.
Innovative research methods and tools
We deliver novel leading-edge mixed methods research using psycho-physiological data from a range of biosensors.
Biosensors can provide objective measurements of psycho-physiological parameters such as heart rate, skin conductance, EEG (electroencephalogram), and eye movement. These metrics offer insights into pre-cognitive states to augment qualitative methods such as self-reporting, reducing the impact of biases. Incorporating different biosensors in behavioural analytics research can provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of users experience by offering objective, real-time, and contextual insights that complement traditional research methods.
Our multidisciplinary research expertise can provide you with bespoke research design methods, ethical clearance, research grade findings, and data security and privacy for a variety of emerging technologies including XR experiences, AI and gaming, IoT services and future networks.
Meet the team
Our experts in behavioural design, user experience research and next-generation technologies are the driving force behind The BRAINS Lab.
- Dr Jonathan Fenn
- Maria Fernandez Marinovic
- Anne Motan
- Professor Vasilis Agyriou (Department of Networks and Digital Media)
- Dr Elisa Back (Department of Psychology)
- Dr Kerry Brown (Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment)
- Professor Jamshid Dehmeshki (Department of Computer Science)
- Professor Priscilla Harries (Graduate Research School)
- Professor Jean-Christophe Nebel (Department of Computer Science)
- Professor Ann Ooms (Centre for Health and Social Care Research, School of Nursing, Allied and Public Health)
- Dr Anna Paolillo (Department of Management)
- Professor Nada Philip (Department of Networks and Digital Media)
- Dr Evy Sakellariou (Department of Strategy, Marketing and Innovation)
- Professor Muthanna Samara (Department of Psychology)
- Dr Purva Tavri (Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment)
- Professor Frédéric Vallée-Tourangeau (Department of Psychology)
- Professor Gaëlle Vallée-Tourangeau (Department of Management)
- Professor Tushna Vandrevala (Centre for Health and Social Care Research)
- Visiting Professor Jag Dhanda in XR in Medicine & Surgery
- Visiting Professor Maziar Nekovee in Future Technologies
- Visiting Fellow Carl Yates in Digital Phenotyping
- Visiting Professor Ghislaine Boddington in Collective Embodiment
- Visiting Fellow Ashley Temple in Digital Creative
- Entrepreneur in Residence, Goodness Akalazu, Immersely Ltd
Our facilities
The pod includes Eye-tracking, facial expression analysis, EEG, heart rate and skin conductance which can provide insights into attention, engagement, and emotional reactions. This is ideal for generating behavioural insights on decision making in all user experience for all types of digital content from multi touchpoint eCommerce to VR serious games.
Our VR suite is ideal for studying user behaviour in virtual environments. Using biosensors such as EEG, heart rate and skin conductance, we can uniquely record and analyse synchronous virtual stimuli and physical gestures.
Our observation suite is ideal for generating behavioural insights and can be used for evaluating the multichannel branded user experience, product testing, creativity and problem-solving, focus groups and teamwork. Using biosensors such as EEG, heart rate and skin conductance, we can uniquely record and analyse flow states through action and physical gestures.
Our networked computer suite is ideal for conducting behavioural economic research to gain insights into consumer behaviour, improve marketing strategies, enhance customer experiences, and make more informed decisions regarding product development and pricing strategies.
The BRAINS Lab team’s work has immense potential for application across various fields, particularly in education and healthcare. Meeting this exceptional team at Kingston University is highly recommended!
Get in touch
Want to find out more about The BRAINS Lab?
Please contact us via email.
Staff
If you are a member of staff interested in making use of this facility for your research or your teaching, or if you are interested in learning more about behavioural research analytics, behavioural science and human-centred design research, please send us an email.
Students
If you are interested in participating in studies conducted by researchers, you can register your details on our participant panel.