Mark Howe

Professor Mark Howe is a distinguished academic in developmental psychology, currently serving in the Department of Psychology at City St George's, University of London. With a career spanning over 40 years, he previously held prominent positions including University Chair in Developmental Psychology at Lancaster University (2005-2012), Professor of Psychology and Dean roles at Lakehead University in Canada (1999-2005), and Professorships at Memorial University and the University of Victoria. As Editor of Memory journal, he has significantly shaped the field while providing expert consultation on memory in legal contexts across Canada, the USA, and UK for over two decades.

Professor Howe's research focuses on memory development across the lifespan, with expertise in adaptive memory systems, autobiographical memory formation, false memory phenomena, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying memory in both typical and traumatic contexts. His work bridges theoretical understanding with practical applications, particularly in legal settings where memory reliability is crucial. He has made significant contributions to understanding how children's memory systems develop, how trauma affects memory processes, and how false memories can form and influence behavior and decision-making.

His scholarly output reveals consistent focus on memory development, false memory phenomena, and legal applications. Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate continued leadership in examining the neuroscience of dissociative amnesia, refining forensic guidelines for memory testimony, investigating memory development trajectories, and exploring how false memories can positively influence problem-solving and decision-making processes.

• Fellow of the British Psychological Society
• Fellow of the American Psychological Association
• Fellow of the Psychonomic Society
• Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science

Professor Howe has secured substantial research funding including Economic and Social Research Council UK grants totaling over £950,000 for projects on false memory development and priming, plus a $1.54 million National Institute of Mental Health grant examining memory processes in maltreated children. His media contributions and public lectures on memory and trauma have helped translate complex psychological concepts for broader audiences while maintaining rigorous scientific standards.