Ruth Ford

Ruth Ford is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), located in Cambridge. She is affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the School of Psychology, Sport and Sensory Science. Her research focuses on cognitive development, memory, early intervention, and autism, with a particular emphasis on children’s cognitive and memory development. Ruth holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of New South Wales and has held academic positions at institutions including Cardiff University, Swansea University, Griffith University, and Macquarie University.

Education includes a PhD (Psychology) and BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of New South Wales.

Ruth’s research interests revolve around understanding how children develop cognitive and memory skills, with recent work exploring autism spectrum characteristics in women and early interventions for neurodiverse populations. She is a member of ARU’s Centre for Mind and Behaviour and supervises PhD students in cognitive developmental psychology.

Her professional memberships include roles as Associate Editor for the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology and Editorial Board member for Cognitive Development and British Journal of Developmental Psychology. She is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Ruth has secured grants such as the LEAP into Learning Together project (2023–2024) and the Action Medical Research grant (2018–2022). Her work bridges academic research and practical applications, including early intervention programs for preschoolers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Her current and past PhD students have researched topics ranging from autistic traits in women to developmental coordination disorders. Ruth’s research consistently emphasizes translational outcomes, aiming to improve educational and clinical practices for children and families.