Jessica Horst

Prof. Jessica Horst is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Sussex’s School of Psychology. Her research focuses on how young children learn the meanings of words, particularly through storybooks and object exploration. She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Iowa and a BA in Philosophy and Psychology from Boston University.

Education:

• PhD, Psychology: Developmental Science, University of Iowa
• BA, Philosophy and Psychology (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), Boston University

Research Interests: Her work explores factors influencing toddlers’ and preschoolers’ word learning, including sleep’s role in memory retention, the benefits of repeated storybook reading, and the impact of contextual repetition. She also investigates categorization processes and the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying language acquisition.

Key Contributions:

• Co-authored the International Handbook of Language Acquisition (2019)
• Developed the NOUN database for standardized experimental research
• Received awards including the APA Dissertation Award and Society for Research in Child Development’s Outstanding Dissertation Award

Teaching & Grants:

• Teaches modules like the Psychology of Childhood and Developmental Psychology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• Secured grants from the British Academy, ESRC, and Royal Society for projects on word learning mechanisms and naming

Labs & Teams: Leads the WordLab, focusing on experimental studies of early language and cognitive development.