2025

Does sleeping on a problem really work?

The idea of sleeping on a problem and seeing if you can get some clarity in the morning is a common one, but is it scientifically sound? A growing body of research says yes. Alyssa Sinclair, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, found that after sleeping on a difficult task, people were more level-headed the next day. 

Trump cuts to National Institutes of Health took more than $100M out of Pa. economy, according to local researcher

Researchers mapped out the economic impact of the federal government canceling research grants that had already been approved. Allie Sinclair, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania, worked with other researchers to map how the research cuts impact communities outside of the individual universities and research institutions.

Many people believe climate change is happening, but most don't act. Why?

A new study looks systematically for what works—and what doesn’t—to overcome psychological barriers that keep people stuck in the carbon-emissions status quo.

Psychology of Eco-Action: Driving change through behavior

A recent study offers new approaches to drive climate action, focusing on how individuals perceive the future. Researchers have identified effective strategies to translate awareness of climate change into tangible actions, such as imagining long-term impacts or planning for environmental goals.

What behavioral strategies motivate environmental action?

A collaborative study from researchers affiliated with the Annenberg School for Communication, Annenberg Public Policy Center, and School of Arts & Sciences tested 17 strategies in an ‘intervention tournament.’

Mapping local economic consequences of federal cuts to NIH: How they did it

As the federal cuts to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other science institutions began to unfold in January and February, communications researcher Alyssa Sinclair, Ph.D., and health data expert Joshua Weitz, Ph.D., immediately saw the need for information about local economic effects. Both saw a need to apply their experience during yet another national crisis. 

Where NIH grant cuts could hit the hardest

Universities and academic medical centers would not be alone in bearing the impact of proposed cuts to federal grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health.

A closer look at the nationwide impact of NIH cuts

Nearly half of all U.S. counties will experience economic losses of at least $250,000 as a result of the Trump administration’s planned cuts to indirect funding by the National Institutes of Health, per the Science & Community Impacts Mapping Project.

Data-driven, interactive map shows local economic impact of cuts to federal funding for health research

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland show that proposed NIH funding cuts lead to an estimated $16 billion in economic loss and 68,000 jobs lost nationwide.

2024

"Sleeping on it" can lead to better decisions

Research suggests that delaying decisions by sleeping on them helps balance first impressions with more thoughtful judgment, leading to better choices.

Sleep can help you avoid first impression traps

New research shows that sleep can help you avoid the pitfalls that can come with first impressions.

Yet another reason why you should sleep on it before making an important decision

Science proves, once again, that we are easily deceived by first impressions. But according to a new study, sleeping on it can help us avoid judging a book solely by its cover.

What are the most effective strategies to inspire action on climate change?

The Communication Neuroscience Lab is conducting an intervention tournament, testing strategies to change beliefs and intentions regarding climate change.

2023

How a curious mind can improve your learning

A recent study discovers that an urgent mentality is useful in short-term problems, but an inquisitive mindset improves long-term memory and behavior.

This one simple brain hack might boost learning and improve mental health

A simple shift from a high-pressure mindset to a curious one improves people’s memory.

Why aren't people getting the bivalent COVID booster?

Survey shows lack of awareness on eligibility, availability, and some just think they are immune.

Survey finds Americans still don't know they're eligible for updated COVID-19 booster shot

Just 18% of Americans have gotten the updated COVID-19 booster shot, according to CDC data.

2021 – 2022

How trying to predict the future can transform your memories

Whenever you’re surprised, there’s a good chance that your brain is busy tweaking your memories.

An element of surprise is the recipe for creating false memories

It turns out that human memory can be edited on the fly, creating memories that are nowhere near set in stone. A team of researchers has figured out how that happens and proved it by making people misremember.

Researchers reveal how our brains update memories when we discover they're wrong

Understanding how our memories are preserved, how they are updated, how this allows us to adaptively function in the world — I think that is a fascinating question.

What are your chances of being exposed to COVID-19 at an event? These tools can help you find out

Individuals can use the mapping tool like a weather app. Check the risk they might face and then make the decision on how that will affect them. We cannot control that external risk but we can control our own behavior, Sinclair said.

Why it's so hard to predict where the COVID-19 pandemic is headed next

Models still have some function, Sinclair says, so long as they are presented in a way that’s relevant to people’s actual lives— showing how the pandemic can be expected to unfold locally, and soon.

Imagination exercise helps people get a grip on real pandemic risks

Putting risk data into context of everyday activities leads to more realistic appraisals.

Risks, real and imagined

Older adults are at high risk of suffering debilitating health effects from COVID-19. Effective communication of associated risks is therefore paramount. A new study finds that imagining a personalized disease transmission event amplifies perceived risk and bolsters risk-related information seeking in older age.

When Grandma's optimism bias gets in the way of perceiving COVID-19 risks

The profound impact of COVID-19 on all our lives brought the concept of risk front and center. For older adults especially, the risks are literally about life and death.

Memory, belief updating, and learning from error

I talk with Allie Sinclair, Ph.D. candidate at Duke University, about memory, belief updating, and learning from error.

2018 – 2020

Right-Wing Authoritarianism and reduced updating

If you have high right-wing authoritarian attitudes, then you will be less likely to change your answers when asked again even after being told the right answers.

Right-Wing Authoritarians are less likely to update false beliefs after corrective feedback

New research has found that right-wing authoritarians tend to be less successful at correcting erroneous beliefs than others. The study, published in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, provides evidence that cognitive factors, such as a general aversion to new information, are related authoritarian attitudes.

The power of prediction

In educational settings we are more likely to think about retrieving relevant prior knowledge prior to acquiring new information. […] this line of research can advance our understanding of the intricacies of the learning process, and enrich our ability to both evaluate and formulate effective approaches for teaching.

Allie Sinclair soars through university as UofT's top student

Allie Sinclair finished at the University of Toronto with a 4.0 GPA and the highest marks of thousands of graduating undergraduate students.