معرفی
Samuel David Jones is a Lecturer in Psychology at Bangor University's School of Psychology & Sport Science and a member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Institute. His research focuses on computational approaches to understanding individual differences in human cognitive development across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on speech, language, and communication skills.
Dr. Jones earned his PhD from Lancaster University in April 2020 and an MA from the University of Nottingham in April 2017. His educational background has equipped him with strong methodological expertise in behavioral experimentation and computational modeling.
His research program centers on three key areas: (i) auditory processing, particularly how frequency discrimination relates to developmental language disorders; (ii) the neural population dynamics of neurodivergent learning and cognitive control; and (iii) resource-rational models of neurodivergent information seeking. His work employs computational modeling to develop transdiagnostic theories that can explain patterns across neurodevelopmental conditions including developmental language disorder, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and autism spectrum disorder.
Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a clear trajectory from foundational work on auditory processing mechanisms toward more theoretical contributions around rational inattention frameworks. His research increasingly integrates computational modeling with behavioral experimentation to develop unified theories of neurodevelopmental variation. The work spans multiple disciplines including cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and computational cognitive science, with strong implications for clinical assessment and intervention.
Dr. Jones has secured significant research funding including a £59,472 grant from The Waterloo Foundation for "The Waterloo Foundation report into transdiagnostic neurodevelopmental assessment" (2025-2026), a £30,896 Royal Society Research Grant for "Enhancing developmental speech perception modelling through head and torso simulation" (2024-2025), and a £7,160 UKRI grant for high-spec computing resources to model the neurodivergent brain.
He actively supervises PhD students and has directed the North Wales Speech and Language Exchange since 2023, organizing academic workshops and developing community engagement initiatives. His research group collaborates extensively with Dr. Kami Koldewyn at Bangor University and Professor Gert Westermann, with whom he has co-authored multiple high-impact publications. Dr. Jones maintains an open science approach, with all papers, code, and data available through his Open Science Framework page.
