profile
Professor Stephen Lea
Emeritus Professor of Psychology
Washington Singer 124
Washington Singer Laboratories, University of Exeter, Perry Road, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4QG, UK
Office hours: I normally come into the Washington Singer Labs on Tuesdays. The best time to find me in my office is between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. However, if I'm around and not already meeting someone else, I'll be happy to talk to you at any time.
Overview
Qualifications
MA PhD (Cantab) FBPsS CPsychol FAcSS
Career
I have been a Professor of Psychology at Exeter since 1990, and have held the offices of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (2000-03), Dean of the Faculty of Science (1993-96) and Head of the Department, later School, of Psychology (1983-88 and 2005-10). Before joining Exeter as a Lecturer in 1976, I held the post of University Demonstrator in the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Cambridge (1971-76). I retired from my full time post 2011, but continued to work in Psychology on a part-time basis until June 2015; I will be continuing to carry out academic work in the department as an Emeritus Professor.
Links
Research group links
Research
Research interests
Animal Cognition and Behaviour, especially Concept discrimination and foraging decisions in birds and mammals.
Economic Psychology, especially the psychology of money and money management, and intertemporal choice.
My current research includes:
Animal Cognition and Behaviour:
- Comparative aspects of concept discrimination
- Diving in birds especially cormorants and shags
- Cognitive processes in Oystercatchers' foraging
Economic Psychology:
- Adolescents' and students' money management
- The Psychology of money
- Debt, poverty and homelessness
- Compliance with fraud
Research projects
Persuasive techniques used in fraudulent communications, and their effects
Students' attitudes and behaviour towards personal finance
Foraging in water birds, especially diving birds
External Engagement and Impact
Committee/panel activities
Academician of the Social Sciences (2002)
Founder member of the International Association for Research in Economic Psychology (IAREP); President, 2003-05; Executive committee member 2002-06.
Editorial responsibilities
Member of the Editorial boards of: Animal Cognition Journal of Economic Psychology, Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics
Teaching
Animal Behaviour
Economic Psychology
Modules
2023/24
Information not currently available
Supervision / Group
Alumni
- Kathy Baker
- David Crelley
- David Gordon
- David Modic
- Richard Skinner joint with Theology
- Joanne Wilshaw