Researchers

prof.dr. Diane Pecher
Cognition
Her research deals with the broad topic of memory, particularly the nature of conceptual memory. What is the effect of context on mental representations and the interaction of sensory-motor processing on concepts?
prof.dr. Rolf Zwaan
Cognition
His main research interests are in language processing, cognition in the digital age, and meta-scientific aspects of psychology.
prof.dr. Katinka Dijkstra
Autobiographical memory, cognitive ageing and misinformation
Her research focuses on how certain factors, such as the body, can facilitate the accessibility of autobiographical memory. Other research topics include optimising attention and memory function in healthy elderly people and making news consumers more resilient to misinformation and fake news.
dr. Peter Verkoeijen
Applied cognitive psychology, Educational psychology
I obtained my doctorate with a dissertation involving fundamental cognitive psychological research into the causal mechanisms behind the spacing effect, a well-known phenomenon in memory psychology. Since then, I have mainly been involved in applied cognitive/educational psychology research into effective cognitive learning strategies and how these should be embedded in instruction and practice in such a way as to enhance the (self-regulated) learning of students in higher education.
dr. René Zeelenberg
Memory, Language, Bilingualism and Language Learning
Our lab studies memory in a broad sense (working memory, long-term memory, conceptual memory). I am interested in how people learn and retrieve information from memory. In particular, I am interested in what information (semantic, motor, emotional) gets automatically activated when people process words and pictures.
dr. Huib Tabbers
Cognitive strategies, reading comprehension, retrieval practice, multimedia learning, instructive animations, digital learning environments, retrieval practice.
dr. Muhammet Ikbal Sahan
Cognitive neuroscience, attention, memory, navigation
My research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying attention and memory using fMRI, EEG, and eye-tracking. The emphasis is on exploring the pros and cons of the digital era on human cognition: how and to what extent are our internal navigation skills and memory influenced by the use of external navigation devices like GPS and smartphones.
dr. Bjorn de Koning
Educational psychology; Embodied learning; Physical activity and learning
Applying scientific knowledge about human information processing and memory to optimize learning processes and the design of instructions. Research focuses on the (self)management of cognitive load during learning and recruitment of sensory and motor modalities to enrich the learning experience. Specific attention is given to recruitment of the human motor system targeted at using physical movement (e.g., by making gestures) to support learning in areas such as problem-solving, multimedia learning, and reading comprehension instruction.
dr. Steven Verheyen
Concepts and categories; Cognitive linguistics; Psychometrics
I study individual differences in cognition, specifically pertaining to semantics and language. I am interested in learning the nature and origin of these differences, as well as how they can be measured.
Kristel de Groot, MSc
Psychophysiology, open science practices, student mental health

I am conducting research on best practices in the field of electrophysiology, primarily EEG. In addition, I am running a longitudinal research project on the impact of demographic factors, such as parental education, on the wellbeing and performance of students at Erasmus University.
Jasmijn E. Klapwijk
Klinische Genetica/Clinical Genetics
Within the field of (prenatal) genetics there is a continuous development of techniques that can be used to explore the DNA. This can involve a lot of uncertainty because, for example, we do not yet know what the results will mean for the health of an unborn child. Through our research, we explore this uncertainty among both the caregiver and the parents and we focus, among other things, on improving the care and counseling parents receive when making decisions and the support they need.
Sander Roest, MSc.