Dr Benjamin T. Sharpe

Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology, Director of the Human Attention Laboratory, Coordinator for BSc Criminology and Forensic Psychology Programme, and Thematic Cluster Lead for South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership

About

Leads the Human Attention Laboratory (HAL), Post-Doctoral Researcher in the Cognitive Ageing and Dementia Research Lab, and is a member of the Functional Behavioural Science Lab, Occupational Performance Research Group (OPRG), and the Lab for Self-Efficacy, Performance and Agency (LSPA).

Dr Benjamin Sharpe is a Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology and Director of the Human Attention Laboratory at the University of Chichester, specialising in sustained attention, vigilance performance, and attention control across diverse populations, including neurodivergent individuals, esports athletes, military personnel, and people living with dementia. His research employs advanced methodologies such as fNIRS, pupillometry, and neuromodulation techniques (tDCS, TMS) to understand how cognitive processes impact sustained human performance under pressurised, competitive, or occupational contexts.

Dr Sharpe continues to secure research funding and has published 60+ peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, contributed to 12+ academic textbooks across Cognitive, Clinical, and Sports Psychology, serves as Associate Editor for two journals, and published his first academic textbook with Routledge this year. In his academic leadership capacity, he leads a strategic UKRI Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, supervises PhD students, a KTP associate, four academic staff, and several research assistants, serves as Thematic Cluster Lead (Innovation & Enterprise) for the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership, acts as Professional Learning & Quality Assurance Officer for The Human Factor, and holds positions as Staff CPD Coordinator and Technology Officer within his institute whilst sitting on the University’s Academic Board, Research Innovation Committee, and Honorary Awards Committee. He is also part of the scientific team developing the world’s first international, evidence-informed mental health guidelines for esports (a landmark initiative supported by Movember), overseeing a 24-member Guideline Development Committee comprising industry leaders from major publishers, tournament organisers, global governing bodies, and multidisciplinary mental health experts.

Dr Sharpe has delivered numerous invited international talks across Europe, the US, and Australia, with interdisciplinary expertise spanning sustained attention, occupational vigilance and safety, esports psychology, compulsive internet use, immersive VR training applications, digital support technologies, and the use of generative AI in occupational settings, and he actively seeks collaboration opportunities with researcher and industry partners globally. To collaborate or discuss his work, Dr Sharpe can be contacted at b.sharpe@chi.ac.uk.

PhD Supervision

Ben is actively looking for motivated individuals to supervise for PhD programmes on topics related, but not limited to, cognition, sustained attention (vigilance), performance breakdowns under pressure, scene perception, drowning detection, esports. Please review the following link for fees [Link] and then contact Ben if interested [b.sharpe@chi.ac.uk].

Research Output

Articles

Poulus, D., Nicholson, M., Obine, E., Drew, M., Fisher, K., Vella, S., Seidler, Z. and Sharpe, B. T.et al (2026) Mental health and well‐being in esports: a scoping review. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 75 (1). pp. 1-58. ISSN 1464-0597 10.1111/apps.70055

Sharpe, B. T. (2026) Burden of participation, open science, and collaborative innovation: addressing research ethics and knowledge gaps in esports health. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports. pp. 1-34. ISSN 2836-3523

Sharpe, B. T., Cotten, E. L. and Sivyer, L. R. (2026) The dangers of occupational vigilance: a scoping review. Safety and Reliability. pp. 1-23. ISSN 0961-7353 10.1080/09617353.2025.2607194

King, R., Warren, S., Vass, E., Beaumont, K., Seymour, S., Bell, S., Sharpe, B. T., Pacella, R. E. and Pereira, A.et al (2025) Innovating dementia support: an evaluation of cost‐effectiveness and wellbeing outcomes of the Sage House Model. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 21 (S4). p. 1. ISSN 1552-5279 10.1002/alz70858_102222

Sharpe, B. T. and Tyndall, I. (2025) Designing for human attention. The Psychologist. p. 1.

Jones, S., Sharpe, B. T., King, R., Waldeck, D. and Tyndall, I.et al (2025) Putting on a disguise to fit in: A mixed methods study of experiences in autistic camouflaging. Research in Neurodiversity, 1. pp. 1-11. ISSN 3050-5798 0.1016/j.rin.2025.100004

Poulus, D., Isoard-Gautheur, S., Zarate, D., Sargeant, J., Sharpe, B. T. and Stavropoulos, V.et al (2025) Burnout in esports: an item response theory examination of the Athlete Burnout Scale. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. pp. 1-31. ISSN 1467-9450 10.1111/sjop.70033

Sharpe, B. T., Nicholson, M., Leis, O., Poulus, D., Birch, P. D. J. and McNulty, C.et al (2025) Indexing league of legends performance: A systematic review and focus group study. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. pp. 1-13. ISSN 2048-397X 10.1177/17479541251381652

Smith, J., Obine, E., Talbot, J., Grazier, N., Stevens, C., Needham-Beck, S., Bautista, I. J. and Sharpe, B. T.et al (2025) An investigation of the 10:20 Protection Rule for detecting aquatic hazards. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 21 (3). pp. 194-207. ISSN 1841-0413

Cahart, M.-S., Smith, M. S., Sharpe, B. T., Williams, S. C. R., Hampshire, A., Balaet, M., Trender, W., Hellyer, P., Talbot, J. and Smith, J.et al (2025) Lifeguard training sharpens brain dynamics in novices during drowning detection. Safety Science, 191. pp. 1-11. ISSN 0925-7535 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106957

Sharpe, B. T., Trotter, M. G. and Hale, B. J. (2025) Sustaining student concentration: the effectiveness of micro-breaks in a classroom setting. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. pp. 1-10. ISSN 1664-1078 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1589411

Pedraza-Ramirez, I., Sharpe, B. T., Behnke, M., Toth, A. and Poulus, D.et al (2025) The psychology of esports: Trends, challenges, and future directions. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 81. pp. 1-12. ISSN 1469-0292 10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102967

Sharpe, B. T., Blacker, S. D., Myers, S. D., Birch, P. D. J., Poulus, D. and Vine, C.et al (2025) Commentary of the transferability of esports to military and emergency responder roles. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 3 (1). pp. 1-20. ISSN 2836-3523 10.1123/jege.2025-0009

Poulus, D. R. and Sharpe, B. T. (2025) A protocol for international mental health guidelines for esports. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 3 (1). pp. 1-9. ISSN 2836-3523 10.1123/jege.2024-0066

Seymour, L., Seymour, S., Sharpe, B. T., Nandy, M., Lodh, S. and Banerjee, M.et al (2025) The use of mindfulness in the metaverse: a scoping review. Mindfulness. pp. 1-44. ISSN 1868-8527 10.1007/s12671-025-02608-6

Sharpe, B. T., King, R., Banerjee, M., Keates, S., Tyndall, I., Kooner-Evans, P., Sivyer, L., Cotten, E., Obine, E., Tabet, N., Ronen, I., Davies, N., Lewis, I., Tabbner, S., Wilkins, T. and Pereira, A.et al (2025) Experiences of individuals living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers regarding independence-enhancing technologies: focus group insights. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 20 (8). pp. 2915-2934. ISSN 1748-3107 10.1080/17483107.2025.2511996

Cotten, E. L., Sivyer, L. R., Spina, R. and Sharpe, B. T.et al (2025) The jury on trial: assessing the impact of courtroom design and juror ideology on defendant guilt perception. The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice, 64 (4). pp. 446-452. ISSN 2059-1101 10.1111/hojo.12610

Sharpe, B. T., Sharpe, A., Poulus, D., Obine, E., King, R., Birch, P. D. J. and Gladwin, T. E.et al (2025) Enhancing pressurized esports performance: a pilot study on the combined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and arousal reappraisal. Anxiety, stress, and coping. pp. 1-17. ISSN 1477-2205 10.1080/10615806.2025.2502792

Sharpe, B. T. and Spooner, R. (2025) Dopamine-scrolling: a modern public health challenge requiring urgent attention. Perspectives in Public Health, 145 (4). pp. 190-191. ISSN 1757-9147 10.1177/17579139251331914

Sharpe, B. T., Smith, M. S., Williams, S. C. R., Hampshire, A., Balaet, M., Trender, W., Hellyer, P., Talbot, J. and Smith, J.et al (2025) Beyond certification: improving lifeguard drowning detection through validated tools and specialized training. Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 107. pp. 1-12. ISSN 0169-8141 10.1016/j.ergon.2025.103741

Sharpe, B. T. and Tyndall, I. (2025) The sustained attention paradox: a critical commentary on the theoretical impossibility of perfect vigilance. Cognitive Science, 49 (4). pp. 1-15. ISSN 0364-0213 10.1111/cogs.70061

Leis, O., Sharpe, B. T., Moriconi, M., Ascenso, I. and Barkoukis, V.et al (2025) Educational needs of the esports industry: a Delphi study. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 3 (1). pp. 1-17. ISSN 2836-3523 10.1123/jege.2024-0030

Sharpe, B. T. and Birch, P. D. J. (2025) Psychology of Esports Special Issue: A Catalyst for Change. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 2 (1). pp. 1-8. ISSN 2836-3523 10.1123/jege.2024-0058

Horne, G. and Sharpe, B. T. (2024) Esports are pretty far from Bodhi trees: touch grass for performance and well-being. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 2 (1). pp. 1-5. ISSN 2836-3523 10.1123/jege.2024-0038

Leis, O., Praisan, G., Pedraza-Ramirez, I., Sharpe, B. T., Laborde, S. and Lautenbach, F.et al (2024) Exploratory study of psychophysiological Stress in esports: training and competition in professional League of Legends. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 2 (1). pp. 1-13. ISSN 2836-3523 10.1123/jege.2024-0033

Maier, T., Alzahabi, R., Sharpe, B. T. and Maier, H.et al (2024) The React–Predict–Manipulate Model: a proposed theoretical hierarchy of decision making in competitive environments. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 2 (1). pp. 1-7. ISSN 2836-3523 10.1123/jege.2024-0014

Sharpe, B. T. and Smith, J. (2024) Influence of vigilance performance on lifeguard gaze behaviour. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 20 (3). pp. 220-233. ISSN 1841-0413 10.23668/psycharchives.14188

Poulus, D., Sharpe, B. T., Jackman, P., Swann, C. and Bennett, K.et al (2024) Defining elite esports athletes: a scoping review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. pp. 1-36. ISSN 1750-984X 10.1080/1750984X.2024.2386531

Leis, O., Sharpe, B. T., Pelikan, V., Nicholls, A., Fritsch, J. and Poulus, D.et al (2024) Stressors and coping strategies in esports: a systematic review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. pp. 1-31. ISSN 1750-984X 10.1080/1750984X.2024.2386528

Walker, F. S., Needham-Beck, S., Vine, C., Blacker, S. D., Greenlees, I. A., Sharpe, B. T., Siddall, A. G., Maroni, T. D., Ashdown, K., Hinde, K., Elliott, E., Rayson, M. P., Knight, E. and Myers, S. D.et al (2024) External workload and cognitive performance of a tactical military scenario-based field exercise. BMJ Military Health, 171 (6). pp. 511-517. ISSN 2633-3767 10.1136/military-2024-002672

Bonilla, I., Chamarro, A., Birch, P. D. J., Sharpe, B. T., Martín-Castellanos, A., Muriarte, D. and Ventura, C.et al (2024) Conceptualization and validation of the TILT questionnaire: Relationship with IGD and Life Satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. pp. 1-30. ISSN 1664-1078 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1409368

Birch, P. D. J., Smith, M. J., Arumuham, A., Ortiz de Gortari, A. and Sharpe, B. T.et al (2024) The prevalence of mental ill health in elite Counter-Strike athletes. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 2 (1). pp. 1-23. ISSN 2836-3523 10.1123/jege.2024-0006

Sharpe, B. T., Leis, O., Moore, L., Sharpe, A., Seymour, S., Obine, E. and Poulus, D.et al (2024) Reappraisal and mindset interventions on pressurised esport performance. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 73 (4). pp. 2178-2199. ISSN 1464-0597 10.1111/apps.12544

Griffith, O. and Sharpe, B. T. (2024) Investigating psychological disparities across gamers: a genre-based study. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 2 (1). pp. 1-9. ISSN 2836-3523 jege.2023-0040

Figgins, S. G., Slater, M. J., Smith, M. J., Miller, A. J., Sharpe, B. T., Pocock, C. and Maiden, J.et al (2024) Promote “we” to inspire me: examining the roles of group identification and trust in the association between identity leadership and follower inspiration. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 23 (2). pp. 261-280. ISSN 1557-251X 10.1080/1612197X.2023.2300001

King, R., Surrell, I., Sharpe, B. T. and Pereira, A.et al (2023) An integrated approach to dementia support: Sage House. Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 19 (S20). p. 1. ISSN 1552-5260 10.1002/alz.075707

Sharpe, B. T., Obine, E., Birch, P. D. J., Pocock, C. and Moore, L.et al (2023) Performance breakdown under pressure among esports competitors. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. pp. 1-22. ISSN 2157-3905 10.1037/spy0000337

Runswick, O. R., Rawlinson, A., Allen, P. M., Sharpe, B. T., Pocock, C., Datson, N., Birch, P. D. J., Bruce, R. and Mann, D. L.et al (2023) The effects of simulated vision impairment on performance in football. Journal of Sports Sciences, 41 (14). pp. 1410-1422. ISSN 0264-0414 10.1080/02640414.2023.2273093

Sharpe, B. T., Smith, M. S., Williams, S. C. R., Hampshire, A., Balaet, M., Trender, W., Hellyer, P., Talbot, J. and Smith, J.et al (2023) Cognition and lifeguard detection performance. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 38 (1). pp. 1-15. ISSN 1099-0720 10.1002/acp.4139

Trotter, M. G., Obine, E. and Sharpe, B. T. (2023) Self-regulation, stress appraisal, and esport action performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. pp. 1-12. ISSN 1664-1078 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1265778

Sharpe, B. T., Smit, M. S., Williams, S. C. R., Talbot, J., Runswick, O. R. and Smith, J.et al (2023) An expert-novice comparison of lifeguard specific vigilance performance. Journal of Safety Research, 87. pp. 416-430. ISSN 0022-4375 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.08.014

Welsh, M. R., Mosley, E., Laborde, S., Day, M. C., Sharpe, B. T., Burkill, R. A. and Birch, P. D. J.et al (2023) The use of heart rate variability in esports: a systematic review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 69. pp. 1-38. ISSN 1469-0292 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102495

Birch, P. D. J., Greenlees, L. and Sharpe, B. T. (2023) An Exploratory Investigation of Personality in Counter-Strike:Global Offensive. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 1 (1). pp. 1-9. ISSN 2836-3523 10.1123/jege.2022-0027

Sharpe, B. T., Besombes, N., Welsh, M. R. and Birch, P. D. J.et al (2023) Indexing Esport Performance. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports. pp. 1-13. ISSN 2836-3523 10.1123/jege.2022-0017

Smith, M. J., Sharpe, B. T., Arumuham, A. and Birch, P. D. J.et al (2022) Examining the Predictors of Mental Ill Health in Esport Competitors. Healthcare, 10 (4). ISSN 2227-9032 10.3390/healthcare10040626

Ritchie, L. and Sharpe, B. T. (2021) Music Student’s Approach to the Forced Use of Remote Performance Assessments. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. ISSN 1664-1078 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.641667

Runswick, O. R., Jewiss, M., Sharpe, B. T. and North, J. S.et al (2021) Context Affects Quiet Eye Duration and Motor Performance Independent of Cognitive Effort. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 43 (2). pp. 191-197. ISSN 0895-2779 10.1123/jsep.2020-0026

Ritchie, L., Cervone, D. and Sharpe, B. T. (2021) Goals and Self-Efficacy Beliefs During the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mixed Methods Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. ISSN 1664-1078 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.559114

Moore, L. J., Harris, D. J., Sharpe, B. T., Vine, S. J. and Wilson, M. R.et al (2019) Perceptual-cognitive expertise when refereeing the scrum in rugby union. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37 (15). pp. 1778-1786. ISSN 0264-0414 10.1080/02640414.2019.1594568

Conference or Workshop Items

Welsh, M. R., Mosley, E., Laborde, S., Day, M. C., Sharpe, B. T. and Birch, P. D. J.et al (2024) Investigating the effect of pressure on heart rate variability in (HRV) esports. In: 17th European Congress of Sport Psychology, 15 - 19 July 2024, Innsbruck, Austria.

Birch, P. D. J., Sharpe, B. T., Obine, E., Pocock, C. and Moore, L.et al (2024) Pressure impacts esports performance. In: 17th European Congress of Sport Psychology, 15 - 19 July 2024, Innsbruck, Austria. (Unpublished)

Bonilla, I., Birch, P. D. J., Sharpe, B. T., Martín-Castellanos, A., Muriarte, D. and Ventura, C.et al (2024) Tilt on esports: conceptualization and measurement. In: 17th European Congress of Sport Psychology, 15 - 19 July 2024, Innsbruck, Austria.

Welsh, M. R., Mosley, E., Laborde, S., Day, M. C., Sharpe, B. T., Burkill, R. A. and Birch, P. D. J.et al (2024) The use of heart rate variability in esports: a systematic review. In: 17th European Congress of Sport Psychology, 15 - 19 July 2024, Innsbruck, Austria. (Unpublished)

Birch, P. D. J. and Sharpe, B. T. (2023) Mental (ill) health and performance. In: International Federation of Esports Coaches Summit, 6 - 7 September 2023, University of Northampton (online).

Birch, P. D. J., Sharpe, B. T., Ortiz de Gortari, A., Arumuham, A. and Smith, M. J.et al (2023) Mental ill health in professional esports athletes: prevalence and relationships. In: Annual Research Conference 2023, University of Chichester, 5 - 6 July 2023, Bognor Regis, England.

Welsh, M. R., Mosley, E., Laborde, S., Day, M. C., Sharpe, B. T., Burkill, R. A. and Birch, P. D. J.et al (2023) The use of heart rate variability in esports: a systematic review. In: Annual Research Conference 2023, University of Chichester, 5 - 6 July 2023, Bognor Regis, England.

Sharpe, B. T., Obine, E., Birch, P. D. J., Pocock, C. and Moore, L.et al (2023) Stress influences gaze behaviour, quiet eye durations, and esport action performance. In: Annual Research Conference 2023, University of Chichester, 5 - 6 July 2023, Bognor Regis, England.

Birch, P. D. J., Sharpe, B. T., Ortiz de Gortari, A., Arumuham, A. and Smith, M. J.et al (2022) Mental ill health in professional esports athletes: Prevalence and relationships. In: ERNC 22: Esports Research Network Conference, 21 - 23 November 2022, Jönköping,Sweden.

Birch, P. D. J., Sharpe, B. T., Ortiz de Gortari, A., Arumuham, A. and Smith, M. J.et al (2022) Mental ill health in professional esports athletes: Prevalence and relationships. In: FEPSAC 2022, Padova: 16th European Congress of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 11 - 16 July 2022, Padova, Italy.

Sharpe, B. T., Besombes, N., Welsh, M. R. and Birch, P. D. J.et al (2022) Psychological index of individualised esports performance. In: FEPSAC 2022, Padova: 16th European Congress of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 11 - 16 July 2022, Padova, Italy.