What do I study?
I call it ‘high performance cognition’. Like all higher cognition, it covers a multitude, so first we must find a path forward.

High performance cognition (HPC) is a valuable human faculty: it is a component of expert/optimal performance, ‘deep’ work, and Flow; however it is threatened by increasing information overload of modern life. HPC arises when a highly demanding cognitive task is performed with high skill, and is hypothesized to be due to tuning of attention. Yet true understanding is elusive because currently HPC can only be identified by subjective reports after-the-fact, making it difficult to study the precise neural mechanisms.

To study the neural correlates of HPC, we must be able to track its precise temporal profile in a correlated set of observables, from task beginning to end. To achieve this, I aim to build an integrated framework of observations, including: 1 behavior (decision actions & context), 2 psychology (temperamental & physiological proneness), 3 neurophysiology (neural responses), and importantly, 4 phenomenology. I have long argued that play is a great model for studying HPC, so I aim to deploy the framework in engaging gamified computer simulations.

This is the grand plan - in the meantime you'll find me working on the component parts, in terms of methods of psychophysiology, player modelling, and also basic research on attention.

About me.
Computer Science Bachelors from Trinity College Dublin, 2003. PhD from the University of Ulster,  2009. Postdoctoral positions at Aalto University, Helsinki and the University of Helsinki. Memorable moments include coordinating Finland's first clinical trial on neurofeedback therapy for attentional disorder.
Currently a (semi-)independent Specialist Research Scientist at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, and Adjunct Professor (Docent) of Cognitive Science, University of Helsinki.