Participants Needed

Take part in our research helping to improve health and wellbeing

In our Centre for Brain and Behaviour, we conduct a variety of psychological studies involving human participants. These studies may include activities such as completing questionnaires, viewing images on a computer screen, or undergoing non-invasive brain activity measurements. Some of our research is conducted online, while other studies take place in our on-site laboratories.

We are always looking for volunteers who are interested in contributing to our research. In some cases, participants may receive compensation for their time. A list of current studies is provided below. If you are interested in taking part, please contact the researcher listed with the study for more information. If there are no suitable opportunities at the moment, we encourage you to check back regularly for updates.

Current Studies:

Visual Perception of Object Motion

Overview: We are inviting volunteers to take part in a research study investigating how people perceive and evaluate different types of motion, depicted in a series of videos.

Participants will be asked to view a series of short video clips featuring various patterns of motion and provide their impressions using a digital scale. The entire process should take approximately 30 minutes

Participants will receive a £5 Amazon voucher as compensation.

Who can participate: Participants must have good vision or come prepared with visually correcting items (contact lenses, glasses etc.)

Contact information: Robyn Roach at robyn.roach@qmul.ac.uk

Combined effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation and partial sleep deprivation on major depressive disorders

Overview: We’re inviting volunteers to take part in a research study exploring new approaches to treating depression. This study involves two non-invasive and non-pharmacological methods: transcranial magnetic stimulation and partial sleep deprivation, both of which have shown potential for short-term improvement in depressive symptoms. During the study, we will use non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) to record participants’ brain waves.

Participants will be asked to complete a short pre-screening questionnaire before being accepted into the study and will need to attend several times over a two-week period at Mile End campus, Queen Mary University of London, E1 4DQ. Participants will receive £100 in cash as compensation.

Who can participate:

  • Aged 18 or over
  • Have been clinically diagnosed with a depressive disorder or healthy control
  • No clinical diagnosis of a sleep disorder
  • No clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or migraines
  • Contact: TMS group at tms2024@qmul.ac.uk or Jingni Yan at bty234@qmul.ac.uk
  • Principal investigator: Dr Valdas Noreika

How is Sleep related to Sensitivity to Noises, Touch and Lights in Adults with Learning Disabilities?

Overview: We are inviting carers of adults with learning disabilities to take part in an online survey. This study focuses on how sleep patterns may relate to sensitivities to noise, touch, and light in individuals aged 18 to 45 who require daily support. By sharing your experiences, you will help us better understand the sleep and sensory challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities. It will take 30-60 minutes to complete the survey and you will be compensated £15 for taking part in the study. 

For full study details, please visit: www.sleep-ld.org

Who can participate:

  • Carers of adults (aged 18–45) with learning disabilities
  • Healthy control participants (aged 18–45)

Contact: Dr Maria Niedernhuber; sleep-id@qmul.ac.uk.

Principal investigator: Dr Valdas Noreika

How Does Walking Affect Decision-Making and Problem Solving?

Overview: We are inviting individuals aged 18–40 to participate in a study exploring how walking affects people’s decision-making and problem solving. During the session, participants will complete a series of short interactive tasks with another person, including an economic game, problem-solving activities, and questionnaires about mood and social motivation. Participants will also wear a Fitbit to measure heart rate throughout the session, helping us understand how social situations affect the body.

The session will take place in our on-site lab, lasting approximately 45 to 60 minutes. All participants will receive £10/hour or course credit as a thank-you for their time.

Who can participate:

  • Adults aged 18–40
  • Fluent in English
  • No known cardiovascular, neurological, or psychiatric conditions
  • Comfortable walking on a treadmill

Contact: Dhwani Shah at d.shah@se24.qmul.ac.uk ; Meghna Ganesh at bt24732@qmul.ac.uk; Nadija Hadzijamakovic at bt24719@qmul.ac.uk

Principal investigator: Dr Frederike Beyer

Behavioural Study on Touch and Movement Perception

Overview: We would like to invite you to a behavioural experiment where you will perform a movement with your right hand and will receive a gentle tactile stroke on your left forearm.  You will then be asked to judge the length of either the touch you received or the movement you made.

The experiment is divided in two sessions. The first session will involve completing some online questionnaires about eating habits and bodily sensations. The main session will take place at G. E. Fogg Building, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS. The study will last ~75-90 minutes in total and will be paid at a rate of 10 £ or 4 course credits per hour.

Who can participate:

  • Between 18 and 45 years old
  • Right-handed
  • No skin conditions or sensitivity
  • No motor impairments
  • No history of Eating Disorders and/or Depersonalisation Derealisation Disorders
  • Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

Contact: Monica Acosta m.s.acosta@se24.qmul.ac.uk; Reet Bhasin r.bhasin@se24.qmul.ac.uk

Principal investigator: Dr Antonio Cataldo

Eyes on the Screen: How Alert are We?

Overview:We are inviting computer users to take part in an on-site study with brainwaves, heart activity and breathing patterns recorded. This study focuses on understanding how to detect the patterns when people start to feel sleepy or tired in an early stage, through keyboard and mouse from individuals aged 25 to 60 from all walks of life. By taking part in our study, you will contribute to improving efficiency and satisfactory of the human-computer interaction process. It will take 2 hours to complete the session and you will be compensated £30 for taking part in the study.

Who can participate:

  • Computer users (aged 25–60) without known mental disorders

Contact person: Sai Zhang

Principal investigator: Dr Valdas Noreika

Investigating Group Decision-Making on Charitable Projects Using Electroencephalography (EEG)

Overview: We are inviting participants to take part in a group decision-making EEG-study. The study will involve three players who will play an investment game together towards social-welfare projects while undergoing electroencephalogram recording (EEG). The study will take around 2 hours to complete and you will be compensated £20 and an additional bonus (up to £15) depending on the game performance.  

To participant please contact us or fill out this questionnaire form https://forms.gle/UQUm3sjspvfu1kiY8 

Who can participate:  

  • Anyone 18 and above with normal or normal-to corrected vision without any history of neurological or health disorders 

Contact person: Nana Cheung at  bt22384@qmul.ac.uk

Principal investigator: Dr Valdas Noreika