University of Birmingham School of Psychology News: Global Expert in Emotion Research Appointed

The University of Birmingham's psychology research has taken a significant step forward with the appointment of Elaine Fox as Professor of Psychology. Professor Fox, an international leader in research, is joining the institution to combine her outstanding record with the University's work.

Career & Achievements

Professor Fox has a career path that includes Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and Australia. Having been initially trained at University College Dublin, where she obtained her B.A. With an Honours degree, as well as a PhD, she accepted senior academic posts worldwide, becoming the Head of the School of Psychology, as well as the Centre for Brain Science, at the University of Essex. Later on, at Oxford, she founded the Oxford Centre for Emotion & Affective Neuroscience (OCEAN), where she launched groundbreaking research on Emotional Resilience/Vulnerability, which won her a highly prestigious ERC Advanced Investigator Award.

In 2022, she moved to the University of Adelaide as the Head of the School of Psychology, later becoming the Director of Mental Health Science. In 2025, she joins Birmingham to continue her mission of promoting the cause of psychological science.

Research and Public Engagement

The effective science communicator brings a strong track record of excellence in both academic and outreach contributions to the Birmingham University setting. She has been an editorial board member of top journals, is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and has been a past President of the Society for Affective Science. Her best-selling titles, Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain (2012), Switchcraft (2022), are non-fiction titles that showcase modern psychological science.

Impact on Birmingham

The University Leaders stated that Elaine Fox’s appointment is bound to make a huge impact on the psychology department within the university. In an interview, Professor Suzanne Higgs, who is the Head of the School of Psychology, stated that Elaine’s contributions have had a huge impact on the way they perceive notions of emotion, resilience, and mental health. The appointment further enhances the theme of mental health research at Birmingham University, she said.

Reports from the University of Birmingham School of Psychology indicate that Fox is going to make a significant impact in the development of the faculty, as well as in training the next generation of researchers. Her impact, in relation to affective neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and overall mental well-being, is bound to ensure that the University of Birmingham is recognised as a centre of excellence in the area of mental health research. Key Takeaway: The appointment of Prof. Elaine Fox is going to bring a fresh chapter to the University of Birmingham, UK, when it comes to psychology studies.

Editor's Note:

The University of Birmingham's hiring of Elaine Fox is significant for the university’s School of Psychology. The array of experiences that Professor Fox has in top universities within Ireland, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand will count in her new position. Her experiences in affective science, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience make her a rich addition to the University of Birmingham, which means that the university will solidify its position on research in mental health, wellbeing, and the development of global connections. Her career path is a great example of how research leadership can be used for learning. The skills she brings with her to Birmingham include her knowledge of emotional resilience, affective neuroscience, and the science of mental health. Her students will learn how psychology is linked to genetics, brain science, and the rest of the social factors, under her supervision. Furthermore, her work in public engagement, evident from her publication of the books "Rainy Brain, Sunny BraiSwitchcraft," would teach her students how to communicate science effectively. The appointment of Professor Fox is set to assist in developing a diverse community of scholars for the future in Birmingham.

The university has already stated how it intends to pursue interdisciplinary research, which Professor Fox’s leadership is set to inspire in students, bringing psychology together with medicine, education, and the social sciences. Skoobuzz believes that her background is set to define her position, which in turn gives the chance for students to learn from one of the most prominent contributors in affective science.

FAQs

1.Who is Elaine Fox, and what is her field of expertise?

Professor Elaine Fox is an internationally recognised psychologist and affective scientist. Her field of expertise includes cognitive psychology, affective science, and neuroscience, with a focus on emotional resilience, vulnerability, and mental health.

2.What research does Elaine Fox do in affective science?

Elaine Fox’s research in affective science explores how emotions, genetics, and brain processes shape resilience and mental health. She has pioneered work in affective neuroscience, studying the biological and psychological factors that influence how people respond to stress and emotional challenges.

3.Why did Elaine Fox join the University of Birmingham?

Elaine Fox joined the University of Birmingham in 2025 to continue advancing psychological science and mental health research. She explained that Birmingham offers a dynamic research community committed to understanding and improving wellbeing, making it the right place to collaborate and support the next generation of scholars.

4.What will Elaine Fox’s role be at Birmingham University?

At Birmingham, Elaine Fox will serve as Professor of Psychology. Her role will involve leading interdisciplinary research, mentoring students and researchers, and strengthening the university’s focus on mental health, wellbeing, and the biological and social factors that shape human behaviour.

5.Where has Elaine Fox worked before Birmingham University?

Before joining Birmingham, Elaine Fox worked at several leading institutions. She studied at University College Dublin, held senior roles at the University of Essex, and later became Professor of Psychology and Affective Science at the University of Oxford, where she founded the Oxford Centre for Emotion & Affective Neuroscience. In 2022, she moved to the University of Adelaide as Head of the School of Psychology and Director of Mental Health Science.