Fred Paas

Prof. Fred Paas holds dual positions as Full Professor in Educational Sciences at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Erasmus University Rotterdam) and Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong's School of Education/Early Start. His research focuses on cognitive load theory, physical learning environments, and the interplay between physical activity and cognitive processes. He chairs the Educational and Developmental Psychology research group.

Key achievements include recognition as the world’s most productive author in top educational psychology journals (2009-2014) and his role as Editor-in-Chief of Educational Psychology Review. He also serves on editorial boards for journals like Journal of Educational Psychology and is a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association.

Research interests span cognitive load management in complex tasks, evolutionary approaches to learning, and the impact of physical environments on cognition. His work emphasizes practical applications, including advising companies like Tinqwise and delivering public lectures.

Recent studies explore embodied cognition, the role of physical activity in education, and optimizing instructional design through cognitive load principles. His interdisciplinary approach integrates neuroscience, pedagogy, and technology to enhance learning outcomes.