The Cognition and Communication Research Centre (CoCo) evolved from a network of staff at Northumbria University with interests in cognition and applied cognitive psychology that formed the basis of a large-scale funding bid to set up a designated research centre. The influx of successful Strategic Research Infrastructure Funding allowing a wing of the building where psychology is housed to be rebuilt and fitted with bespoke facilities. In parallel with this, the university appointed Professor Kenny Coventry as director of the centre, together with 6 further faculty (Dr. Franz Mechsner, Dr. Magdalena Ietswaart, Dr. Kenny Smith, Dr. Greta Defeyter, Dr. Elizabeth Sillence, Dr. Linda Little), three full-time postdoctoral researchers (including a Leverhulme Trust Fellow), a dedicated laboratory manager, and a research administrator. In total CoCo comprises over a dozen faculty and a dozen researchers.

RESEARCH THEMES

Research in CoCo is focussed around four main themes: Language and Perception, Psychology and Communication Technology, Cognition and Ageing, and Developmental Learning Disability.

FUNDING SOURCES

Since 2001 CoCo staff have generated over £2 million in research funding. This includes over £900K from the UK Research Councils (EPSRC, ESRC and AHRC;grants to Briggs, Coventry, Defeyter, McInnes), and funding from the British Academy (Smith), commercial companies, the NHS and the Scottish Executive.