Dr Yael Benn

My profile

Biography

I graduated from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow with a 1st class BSc Honours in Computer Science & Software Engineering. After a few years in industry both in Glasgow and in Brussels, I returned to university (this time in Sheffield) to complete a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience.

Since then, my research has incorporated all aspects of my training.  My work focuses on numerical cognition. I am particularly interested in how people process numerical information (the cognitive and neural substrates of numerical processing), the impact this information has on goal directed behaviour  (e.g., how numeracy skills/ numerical information impacts (health) behaviours such as nutrition or weight monitoring), and how we can recover numerical deficits that occur after a stroke or brain injury (Acalculia). In addition, I am interested in information processing more generally- how language impacts our thinking, reasoning and actions, and how we can more generally use information effectively to promote positive behaviour change and wellbeing. As part of this work, I have been working on developing smart algorithms that use smartphone’s sensors data to help people monitor and change their behaviour.

Aside from research and teaching, I am passionate about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues, and passionately believe that education can make a difference.

In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and friends, reading, cold-water swimming, walking, cooking and enjoying good food (and wine).

Words of wisdom

Inspired by my collaborator Colin Jenkinson: 

‘The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we MISS it, but that it is too low and we REACH it’.
- Michelangelo.

Academic and professional qualifications

2003: BSc Hons. Computer Science and Software Engineering

2010: PhD Cognitive Neuroscience (Title: The neural substrates of mathematical calculations in healthy adults and patients with severe aphasia.)

Other academic services (leadership and citizenship)

2018- Current: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion co-lead, Psychology @ Man Met

2018- Current: Athena SWAN Psychology champion, Man Met

2018-2020: Co-chair of the Faculty of HPSC staff voice forum

Expert reviewer

Manuscript reviewer for: Brain, Brain and Language, Brain and Cognition, Nature Human Behaviour, Appetite, Neuroimage, Frontier in Human Neuroscience, Frontiers in Psychology, International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, Public Health Nutrition, Brain Structure & Function, JASIST, International Journal of Behavioural Medicine, British Journal of Social Psychology, British Journal of Health Psychology, Food Policy

Grant reviewing: I am a member of the ESRC Peer Review College. In addition, I have been invited to review for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)  and Executive Government Agency of National Science Centre (Narodowe Centrum Nauki – NCN), Poland. Funding scheme OPUS.

Editorial Board membership

I am on the editorial board of the Nature publication Scientific Reports, and the Editorial Board of Brain Imaging Methods (specialty section of Frontiers in Neuroscience and Frontiers in Neurology) 

Membership of professional associations

I am a member of the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society, British Association of Cognitive Neuroscience, and the American Society of Cognitive Neuroscience.

Impact

I am very enthusiastic about engagement with the public:

I am a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics)  Ambassador. This involves regular public engagement activities, including offering a session titled ‘All about learning’ during the National Science Week. The session is popular with both primary and secondary schools, and received excellent feedback. In addition, I am involved in mentoring 16-19 years old who are interested in STEM careers.

I have also organised sessions for the Manchester ESRC festival of science week. 

In addition, I am involed in Policy and Future Direction in Research. For example, I have been invited to take part in the Frontiers Innovator for the Wellcome Trust Frontiers meeting ‘Digital Phenotypes-Health research in the digital age”, and i have been invited to speak at the Leeds Sadler Seminars series of ‘Flow: Supermarkets and the Movements of Food and People’

Lastly, I occassionaly give invited talks and advice to non-academic organisations.

Teaching

Why do I teach?

I teach at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. 

Postgraduate teaching

Cognitive and Biological Psychology 

Undergraduate teaching: 

Brain and cognition across the lifespan

Education Psychology

Supervision

I have supervised several successful MSc and PhD students to completion. 

Ex-PhD students: 

Dr. Sofia Persson, Manchester Metropolitan University (with Prof Sarah Grogan and Dr. Katie Dhingra). Currently, a Senior Lecturer at Leeds Becket University.

Ahmad Assinari, University of Sheefield (with Dr. Thomas Webb and Dr. Tom Farrow). 

Maryam Abdulmunem Salih Abo Tabik (with Dr. Nicholas Costen), currently a lecturer at UClan

I will be happy to hear from you if you are interested in pesrsuing a PhD  in my area of research.

Research outputs

My work focuses on numerical cognition. I am particularly interested in how people process numerical information (the cognitive and neural substrates of numerical processing), the impact this information has on goal directed behaviour  (e.g., how numeracy skills impact nutritional food choices or other health monitoring, etc), and how we can recover numerical deficits that occur after a stroke or brain injury (Acalculia).

In addition, I am interested in information processing more generally- how language impacts our thinking, reasoning and actions, and how we can more generally, use information effectively to promote positive behaviour change and wellbeing. 

I use multiple methods (fMRI, behavioural studies, observational studies, qualitative interviews) to address the questions in the best way possible.  I also like to bridge my expertise (computer science and cognitive neuroscience) to develop novel and interesting approaches to research and interventions.

Press and media

Media appearances or involvement

My research has been covered in several places in the general media, for example:

The informed SLP: https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/i-didn-t-become-an-slp-to-do-math

The Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3263763/Most-humans-use-brain-dog-looking-bone-retrieving-computer-files.html

The Wall Street Journal: http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-magic-of-tidying-updigitally-1437338785

 The Reader’s Digest: https://www.rd.com/advice/relationships/how-to-accept-criticism/

 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYfpTITKABE&feature=youtu.be

Occassioanly, I also write in the general press:

Benn Y., & Grainger C., (2013). Do you think before you speak? Chic Magazine, issue 54, p. 30