Benjamin T. Sharpe
Lecturer in Psychology, Programme Coordinator for the BSc Criminology and Forensic Psychology
About
Member of the Functional Behavioural Science Lab and the Cognitive Ageing and Dementia Research Lab
Ben is a lecturer and a researcher at the Institute of Education, Social and Life Sciences of the University of Chichester. Ben’s ongoing PhD research, developed at the University of Chichester, in collaboration with Kings College London, the Royal Life Saving Society and Royal National Lifeboat Institute, focuses on exploring psychological factors and neurocognitive processes involved in drown detection performance among lifeguards. Beyond this field of study, his academic interests focus on applying visual and cognitive psychology to understand the contributors of successful performance in a range of applied (i.e., military, lifeguards) and sporting (i.e., referees, dancers, Esport athletes) domains. At present Ben is currently focusing on the components of human cognition that allow for the maintenance of attention during tasks of extended periods (vigilance), whilst collaborating on numerous projects across the University (e.g., topics including mental health assessment, psychometrics, vision impairment, and skill acquisition). Ben is currently looking for research opportunities to utilise high-density electrophysiological recording (i.e., ERP, EEG), optical imaging (i.e., fNIRS), and interventional (i.e., tDCS, TMS) techniques, in research exploring how sensory/motor signals influence human performance/behaviour.
Prior to joining as a full-time lecturer, Ben was working as the Psychology Laboratory Technician for the Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health and Institute of Education, Social and Life Sciences supporting and contributing to the overall functioning of the Psychology Laboratory. The role included providing specialist technical support to staff and students undertaking detailed scientific testing, demonstrating support and delivery of specialist equipment (i.e., EEG, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and eye tracking) and actively participating in the implementation of the Universities recruitment strategy. During this time Ben taught on a wide range of modules across BSc and MSc degrees including abnormal and forensic psychology, cognitive psychology, applications of psychology in sport and exercise, cognitive psychology for sports performance, motivating athletes and biological psychology.
Key Publications
- Sharpe, B. T., Besombes, N., Welsh, M. R., & Birch, P. D. (2022). Indexing Esport Performance. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 1(aop), 1-13.
- Ritchie, L., & Sharpe, B. T. (2022). Validation and Validity: Self-Efficacy, Metacognition, and Knowledge-and-Appraisal Personality Architecture (KAPA). Psychology, 13(10), 1474-1503.
- Smith, M., Sharpe, B. T., Arumuham, A., & Birch, P. (2022). Examining the Predictors of Mental Ill Health in Esport Competitors. Healthcare, 10(4), 626
- Runswick, O. R., Jewiss, M., Sharpe, B. T., & North, J. S. (2021). Context affects Quiet Eye duration and motor performance independent of cognitive effort. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 43(2), 191-197.
- Ritchie, L., & Sharpe, B. T. (2021). Music student’s approach to the forced use of remote performance assessments. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1367.
- Ritchie, L., Cervone, D., & Sharpe, B. T. (2020). Goals and self-efficacy beliefs during the initial covid-19 lockdown: a mixed methods analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 11.
- Moore, L. J., Harris, D. J., Sharpe, B. T., Vine, S. J., & Wilson, M. R. (2019). Perceptual-cognitive expertise when refereeing the scrum in rugby union. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(15), 1778-1786.
Research Interests
Through working alongside the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Ben’s PhD aims to further research in drown prevention and highlight a means to reduce the likelihood of a drown scenario unfolding in our lifeguarded waters.
It is envisaged that once the offline attributes that determine expertise are identified, an fMRI study will be conducted to examine brain volume, brain function (volume of oxygen being used at specific sites) and brain pathway connectivity (water diffusion) differences between experienced lifeguards and a group of matched controls.
Take part in the initial study found here.
Research Output
Articles
Sharpe, B. T., Besombes, N., Welsh, M. and Birch, P. D. J. (2023) Indexing Esport Performance. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports. pp. 1-13. ISSN 2836-3523 (In Press) 10.1123/jege.2022-0017
Smith, M. J., Sharpe, B. T., Arumuham, A. and Birch, P. D. J. (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. (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
Other department members
Alex Rawlinson
Psychology Laboratory Technician
