Holly A. Taylor

Holly A. Taylor is the Moses Hunt Professor of Psychology at Tufts University, with a secondary appointment in Mechanical Engineering. Since joining Tufts in 1994, she has co-directed the Center for Applied Brain & Cognitive Sciences and led the Tufts Spatial Cognition Lab. Her work bridges cognitive psychology, spatial cognition, and human performance optimization.

• PhD, Cognitive Psychology, Stanford University (1992)
• BA, Mathematics/Statistics, Dartmouth College (1987)

Research Focus

Dr. Taylor’s research explores mental representations of spatial and environmental information, comparing learning via maps versus direct navigation. Key themes include:

• Spatial Cognition: Navigation, memory, and visualization
• Spatial Language: Directions and descriptions
• Stress & Cognition: Emotion’s impact on decision-making
• STEM Applications: Spatial training for education
• Human Factors: Technology’s role in cognition

Publications & Grants

Her recent articles (2020–2025) analyze navigation aids, metacognition, and stress effects. She has secured U.S. Army grants since 2014, focusing on applied brain and cognitive sciences. The lab actively trains students and emphasizes real-world applications in education, military operations, and urban design.