Elisa Back

Dr. Elisa Back is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Kingston University, within the School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences. She directs the Developing Minds Lab and is a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) affiliated with the British Psychological Society. Her academic credentials include a First Class BSc in Psychology from Staffordshire University (2002) and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Nottingham (2006).

Her research program examines social-cognitive development across neurotypical and neurodiverse populations, with specialized focus on autism spectrum disorder. Current investigations utilize eye-tracking and behavioral methods to understand how autistic individuals perceive and interpret social information, aiming to translate findings into real-world applications for daily functioning and support strategies.

Publications (2019-2023) demonstrate sustained focus on autism interventions, neurodevelopmental conditions like Williams syndrome, and mental state attribution mechanisms. Recent work analyzes predictors of treatment utilization in autism families while methodological studies explore how perceptual variations influence social cognition assessments across populations.

Awards and Honors:

• Neil O'Connor Prize (2007): Awarded by the British Psychological Society's Developmental Section for research excellence in developmental disorders

She leads the Developing Minds Lab, conducting developmental psychology research through community engagement initiatives like Young Scientist Days. The lab disseminates updates via its Facebook presence. Between 2012-2018, she contributed to the British Psychological Society's Developmental Section committee, influencing national research standards and priorities.