Dr Nicola Brunswick

Dr Nicola Brunswick
NameDr Nicola Brunswick
Job titleAssociate Professor in Psychology
Research institute
Primary appointmentPsychology
Email addressn.brunswick@mdx.ac.uk
ORCIDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6652-5016
Contact categoryResearcher

Biography

Biography

I studied for my PhD in the psychophysiology of dyslexia at the University of Warwick. This was followed by post-doctoral positions as an E.U. Research Fellow at the Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience (University College London), as a Research Scientist (external collaborator) at the MRC Cognitive Development Unit in London, and as a Research Psychologist in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (UCL Medical School).

I have written/edited five books on reading and dyslexia, and I served for six years as a Trustee of the British Dyslexia Association. I am a current member of the British Psychological Society, the British Dyslexia Association, and the International Dyslexia Association; I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and the Higher Education Academy. I sit on the editorial boards of Dyslexia, and Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal.

I am co-chair of the Psychology Research Ethics Committee, and a deputy chair of the University Research Ethics Committee.

Research activities

My research focuses on cognitive, behavioural and neuropsychological aspects of children's reading development, of skilled reading, and developmental dyslexia in children and adults, with a particular focus on academic and emotional outcomes for dyslexic students. I am also interested in the link between reading and musical expertise (in musicians and dancers), and between reading ability and visuo-spatial/drawing ability (in art/non-art students). I have conducted research using EEG, ERPs, fMRI and PET.

Research Groups

I chair the Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience Research Group (https://www.mdx.ac.uk/our-research/research-groups/cognitive-neurosc...), and I am a member of the Music Cognition and Communication Lab (https://mcclabmdx.com/) at Middlesex.

Teaching

I teach/lead the following modules:

  • Neuropsychology (Module leader)
  • Biological & cognitive psychology
  • Undergraduate dissertation supervision
  • Postgraduate dissertation supervision
  • MSc Applied Psychology (Program Leader)
  • MSc Cognitive & Clinical Neuroscience (Module leader for PSY4060 - Developmental neuroscience)

Employment

Associate Professor in Psychology
Middlesex University
01 Oct 1999

Education and qualifications

PhD in Cognitive Neuropsychology

Title: 'Early Cognitive Neuropsychological Profiles and Development of Reading Skills'

University of Warwick
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education
Middlesex University
Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing
Real Training
Certificate in Psychometric Testing, Assessment and Access Arrangements (CPT3A)
Real Training
Included in the British Psychological Society's Register of Qualifications in Test Use
BPS

Grants

Prizes and Awards

External activities

External examining
External examiner
Regents University, London

External examiner for the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychology (MSc and BSc Psychology programmes), 2015-2019

External examining
External examiner
University of Surrey

External examiner for PhD, 2017

External examining
External examiner
Institute of Education, University of London

External examiner for PhD, 2015

External examining
External examiner
University of Wales, Aberystwyth

External examiner for the Department of Psychology (BSc Psychology), 2011-2014

External examining
External examiner
Aston University

External examiner for MPhil, 2012

Conference organisation
External committee
British Dyslexia Association

Member, Organising Committee of the British Dyslexia Association's 12th International Conference: 'Advancing Dyslexia and Dyscalculia', hosted online, 2021

Conference organisation
External committee
British Dyslexia Association

Member, Organising Committee of the British Dyslexia Association's 11th International Conference: 'Evidence to Practice and Back Again', Telford, 2018

Conference organisation
External committee
British Dyslexia Association

Member, Organising Committee of the British Dyslexia Association's 10th International Conference: 'Moving Forward: Challenges and Transitions', Oxford, 2016

Conference organisation
External committee
British Dyslexia Association

Member, Organising Committee of the British Dyslexia Association's 9th International Conference: 'Creating Impact through Innnovation', Guildford, 2014

Conference organjisation
External Committee
British Dyslexia Association

Member, Organising Committee of the British Dyslexia Association's 8th International Conference: 'Beyond Boundaries', Harrogate, 2011

Research outputs

The prevalence of specific learning difficulties in higher education: a study of UK universities across 12 academic years

Brunswick, N., Wilson, N., Kruger, I., Chamberlain, R. and McManus, I. 2024. The prevalence of specific learning difficulties in higher education: a study of UK universities across 12 academic years. Journal of Learning Disabilities.

Self-concept, creativity and developmental dyslexia in university students: effects of age of assessment

Brunswick, N. and Bargary, S. 2022. Self-concept, creativity and developmental dyslexia in university students: effects of age of assessment. Dyslexia. 28 (3), pp. 293-308. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1722

Meta-analytic findings reveal lower means but higher variances in visuospatial ability in dyslexia

Chamberlain, R., Brunswick, N., Siev, J. and McManus, I. 2018. Meta-analytic findings reveal lower means but higher variances in visuospatial ability in dyslexia. British Journal of Psychology. 109 (4), pp. 897-916. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12321

Talking the line: inclusive strategies for the teaching of drawing

Rankin, Q., Riley, H., Brunswick, N., McManus, C. and Chamberlain, R. 2017. Talking the line: inclusive strategies for the teaching of drawing. Drawing: Research, Theory, Practice. 2 (2), pp. 287-304. https://doi.org/10.1386/drtp.2.2.287_1

Scratching the surface: Practice, personality, approaches to learning and the acquisition of high level representational drawing ability

Chamberlain, R., McManus, C., Brunswick, N., Rankin, Q. and Riley, H. 2015. Scratching the surface: Practice, personality, approaches to learning and the acquisition of high level representational drawing ability. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. 9 (4), pp. 451-462. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000011

Dyslexia: Creating impact through innovation

Brunswick, N. 2015. Dyslexia: Creating impact through innovation. Dyslexia. 21 (3), pp. 195-196. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1503

Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women who are on a low income

Payne, N., Ciclitira, K., Starr, F., Marzano, L. and Brunswick, N. 2015. Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women who are on a low income. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 15 (2), pp. 79-87. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733145.2013.877513

Drawing on the right side of the brain: A voxel-based morphometry analysis of observational drawing

Chamberlain, R., McManus, I.C., Brunswick, N., Rankin, Q., Riley, H. and Kanai, R. 2014. Drawing on the right side of the brain: A voxel-based morphometry analysis of observational drawing. NeuroImage. 96, pp. 167-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.03.062

Cain’s house revisited and revived: extending theory and methodology for quantifying drawing accuracy

Chamberlain, R., McManus, C., Riley, H., Rankin, Q. and Brunswick, N. 2014. Cain’s house revisited and revived: extending theory and methodology for quantifying drawing accuracy. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. 8 (2), pp. 152-167. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035635

Learning to perceive: informing pedagogic practice through the empirical study of drawing

Rankin, Q., Riley, H., Chamberlain, R., McManus, C. and Brunswick, N. 2014. Learning to perceive: informing pedagogic practice through the empirical study of drawing. TRACEY: Drawing and Visualisation Research. 9 (2), pp. 128-136.

Local processing enhancements associated with superior observational drawing are due to enhanced perceptual functioning, not weak central coherence

Chamberlain, R., McManus, I., Riley, H., Rankin, Q. and Brunswick, N. 2013. Local processing enhancements associated with superior observational drawing are due to enhanced perceptual functioning, not weak central coherence. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 66 (7), pp. 1448-1466. https://doi.org/10.1080/17470218.2012.750678

Comfort and challenge: A thematic analysis of female clinicians’ experiences of supervision

Starr, F., Ciclitira, K., Marzano, L., Brunswick, N. and Costa, A. 2013. Comfort and challenge: A thematic analysis of female clinicians’ experiences of supervision. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. 86 (3), pp. 334-351. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8341.2012.02063.x

Early cognitive profiles of emergent readers: A longitudinal study

Brunswick, N., Martin, G. and Rippon, G. 2012. Early cognitive profiles of emergent readers: A longitudinal study. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. 111 (2), pp. 268-285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2011.08.001

Supporting dyslexic adults in higher education and the workplace

Brunswick, N. (ed.) 2012. Supporting dyslexic adults in higher education and the workplace. Wiley.

Dyslexie, Legasthenie, Ordblindhed: Dyslexia in different languages

Brunswick, N. 2012. Dyslexie, Legasthenie, Ordblindhed: Dyslexia in different languages. in: Everatt, J. (ed.) Dyslexia, languages and multilingualism Bracknell, UK British Dyslexia Association.

Dyslexia in UK higher education and employment: an introduction and overview

Brunswick, N. 2012. Dyslexia in UK higher education and employment: an introduction and overview. in: Brunswick, N. (ed.) Supporting dyslexic adults in higher education and the workplace Oxford Wiley. pp. 1-10

Women counsellors' experiences of personal therapy: A thematic analysis

Ciclitira, K., Starr, F., Marzano, L., Brunswick, N. and Costa, A. 2012. Women counsellors' experiences of personal therapy: A thematic analysis. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 12 (2), pp. 136-145. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733145.2011.645050

Living with dyslexia.

Brunswick, N. 2011. Living with dyslexia. New York Rosen Publishing Group.

Does shape constancy relate to drawing ability? Two failures to replicate

McManus, I., Loo, P., Chamberlain, R., Riley, H. and Brunswick, N. 2011. Does shape constancy relate to drawing ability? Two failures to replicate. Empirical Studies of the Arts. 29 (2), pp. 191-208. https://doi.org/10.2190/EM.29.2.d

Inclusive practice: researching the relationship between mathematical ability and drawing ability in art students.

Riley, H., Rankin, Q., McManus, C., Chamberlain, R. and Brunswick, N. 2011. Inclusive practice: researching the relationship between mathematical ability and drawing ability in art students. in: Include 2011 proceedings. The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art.

The perceptual foundations of drawing ability

Chamberlain, R., Riley, H., McManus, C., Rankin, Q. and Brunswick, N. 2011. The perceptual foundations of drawing ability. in: Kantrowitz, A., Brew, A. and Fava, M. (ed.) Thinking through drawing: practice into knowledge: proceedings of an interdisciplinary symposium on drawing, cognition and education New York, NY, USA Teachers College Columbia University. pp. 95-102

Editorial. Beyond Boundaries – Introduction to the Special Issue

Carroll, J., Larkin, R. and Brunswick, N. 2011. Editorial. Beyond Boundaries – Introduction to the Special Issue. Dyslexia. 17 (4), pp. 293-294. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.440

Inclusive practice: researching the relationships between mathematical ability and drawing ability in art students.

Riley, H., Brunswick, N., Chamberlain, R., McManus, C. and Rankin, Q. 2011. Inclusive practice: researching the relationships between mathematical ability and drawing ability in art students. in: Include 2011 Proceedings: Conference on Inclusive Design. Royal College of Art.

Visuospatial superiority in developmental dyslexia: myth or reality?

Brunswick, N., Martin, G. and Marzano, L. 2010. Visuospatial superiority in developmental dyslexia: myth or reality? Learning and Individual Differences. 20 (5), pp. 421-426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2010.04.007

Art students who cannot draw: Exploring the relations between drawing ability, visual memory, accuracy of copying, and dyslexia

McManus, C., Chamberlain, R., Loo, P., Rankin, Q., Riley, H. and Brunswick, N. 2010. Art students who cannot draw: Exploring the relations between drawing ability, visual memory, accuracy of copying, and dyslexia. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. 4 (1), pp. 18-30. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017335

Cross-cultural differences in normal and dyslexic reading: behavioural and functional anatomical observations in readers of regular and irregular orthographies

Paulesu, E., Paganelle, F. and Brunswick, N. 2010. Cross-cultural differences in normal and dyslexic reading: behavioural and functional anatomical observations in readers of regular and irregular orthographies. in: Brunswick, N., McDougall, S. and De Mornay Davies, P. (ed.) Reading and dyslexia in different orthographies Psychology Press.

Reading and spelling in different orthographies: an introduction and overview

McDougall, S., Brunswick, N. and De Mornay Davies, P. 2010. Reading and spelling in different orthographies: an introduction and overview. in: Brunswick, N., McDougall, S. and De Mornay Davies, P. (ed.) Reading and Dyslexia in Different Orthographies. London Psychology Press.

Unimpaired reading development and dyslexia across different languages

Brunswick, N. 2010. Unimpaired reading development and dyslexia across different languages. in: Brunswick, N., McDougall, S. and De Mornay Davies, P. (ed.) Reading and dyslexia in different orthographies Psychology Press.

Music of language, language of music

Franco, F., Brunswick, N. and De Mornay Davies, P. 2010. Music of language, language of music. The Psychologist. 23 (11), pp. 913-914.

Reading and dyslexia in different orthographies

Brunswick, N., McDougall, S. and De Mornay Davies, P. (ed.) 2010. Reading and dyslexia in different orthographies. Psychology Press.

The functional neuroanatomy of reading

Brunswick, N. 2010. The functional neuroanatomy of reading. in: Cornelissen, P., Hansen, P., Kringelback, M. and Pugh, K. (ed.) The Neural Basis of Reading Oxford University Press (OUP).

Research seminars on music and language [part of Society section]

Franco, F., Brunswick, N. and De Mornay Davies, P. 2010. Research seminars on music and language [part of Society section]. The Psychologist. 23 (11), pp. 913-914.

Art students who cannot draw: exploring the role of personality, dyslexia, perceptual problems, visual memory and drawing skills.

McManus, C., Chamberlain, R., Loo, P., Rankin, Q., Riley, H. and Brunswick, N. 2009. Art students who cannot draw: exploring the role of personality, dyslexia, perceptual problems, visual memory and drawing skills. Experimental Psychological Society London Meeting. University College London 05 - 06 Jan 2009

The Dyslexia handbook 2009/10.

Brunswick, N. Brunswick, N. (ed.) 2009. The Dyslexia handbook 2009/10. Bracknell British Dyslexia Association.

Dyslexia and visuospatial ability: is there a causal link?

Brunswick, N. and Martin, G. 2009. Dyslexia and visuospatial ability: is there a causal link? in: Brunswick, N. (ed.) The Dyslexia Handbook 2009/10 Bracknell British Dyslexia Association.

Dyslexia

Brunswick, N. 2009. Dyslexia. in: Malmkjaer, K. (ed.) The Routledge Linguistics Encyclopedia Routledge.

Dyslexia: a beginner’s guide

Brunswick, N. 2009. Dyslexia: a beginner’s guide. Oneworld Publications.

Inclusive Practice: researching the relationships between dyslexia, personality, and art students’ drawing ability.

Riley, H., Rankin, Q., Brunswick, N., McManus, I., Chamberlain, R. and Loo, P. 2009. Inclusive Practice: researching the relationships between dyslexia, personality, and art students’ drawing ability. Royal College of Art: Helen Hamlyn Centre..

The impact of personal psychotherapy and supervision on volunteer counsellors.

Ciclitira, K., Marzano, L., Starr, F., Brunswick, N., Costa, A. and Berger, S. 2009. The impact of personal psychotherapy and supervision on volunteer counsellors. 2009 BPS Annual Conference. Brighton, UK 01 - 03 Apr 2009

A new definition of dyslexia.

Brunswick, N. 2009. A new definition of dyslexia. in: Brunswick, N. (ed.) The Dyslexia Handbook 2009/10 Bracknell British Dyslexia Association. pp. 1-6

Recent developments in dyslexia.

Brunswick, N. 2009. Recent developments in dyslexia. in: Brunswick, N. (ed.) The Dyslexia Handbook 2009/10. Bracknell British Dyslexia Association. pp. 9-14

Mind, brain and education in reading disorders.

Brunswick, N. 2009. Mind, brain and education in reading disorders. American Journal of Human Biology. 21 (3), pp. 414-415. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.20915

Visuo-spatial ability and dyslexia: is there a male global advantage?

Brunswick, N., Martin, G. and Marzano, L. 2008. Visuo-spatial ability and dyslexia: is there a male global advantage? British Dyslexia Association International Conference, 2008 [Dyslexia: making links]. Harrogate, York 27 - 29 Mar 2008

Developmental dyslexia, visuospatial ability and learning style.

Brunswick, N. and Martin, G. 2007. Developmental dyslexia, visuospatial ability and learning style. The British Psychological Society Annual Conference. York Conference Park 21 - 23 Mar 2007

Visuo-spatial ability, handedness and developmental dyslexia: just how sinister was Andy Warhol?

Brunswick, N., Martin, G. and Marzano, L. 2007. Visuo-spatial ability, handedness and developmental dyslexia: just how sinister was Andy Warhol? 25th European Workshop on Cognitive Neuropsychology. Bressanone, Italy 21 - 26 Jan 2007

Psychology study guide.

Martin, G. and Brunswick, N. 2005. Psychology study guide. Allyn & Bacon.

Developing an on-line undergraduate course in introductory psychology

Martin, G., Brunswick, N. and Jolic, N. 2005. Developing an on-line undergraduate course in introductory psychology. Journal of Health, Social and Environmental Issues. 6 (1), pp. 11-26.

Theoretical and ethical issues in conducting research at a women’s health centre.

Ciclitira, K., Marzano, L., Brunswick, N., Starr, F. and Berger, S. 2004. Theoretical and ethical issues in conducting research at a women’s health centre. Psychology of Women Section Review. 6 (1), pp. 60-69.

Developmental dyslexia: evidence from brain research

Brunswick, N. 2003. Developmental dyslexia: evidence from brain research. in: Nunes, T. and Bryant, P. (ed.) Handbook of Children’s Literacy London Kluwer Academic Publishers. pp. 275-291

Public awareness of warning signs for cancer in Britain.

Brunswick, N., Wardle, J. and Jarvis, M. 2001. Public awareness of warning signs for cancer in Britain. Cancer Causes and Control. 12 (1), pp. 33-37. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008975416756

Cultural diversity and biological unity in dyslexia

Paulesu, E., Demonet, J., Fazio, F., McCrory, E., Chanoine, V., Brunswick, N., Cappa, S., Cossu, G., Habib, M., Frith, C. and Frith, U. 2001. Cultural diversity and biological unity in dyslexia. NeuroImage. 13 (6), p. S584. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1053-8119(01)91927-5

Awareness of risk factors for cancer among British adults

Wardle, J., Waller, J., Brunswick, N. and Jarvis, M. 2001. Awareness of risk factors for cancer among British adults. Public Health. 115 (3), pp. 173-174. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ph.1900752

Dyslexia: Cultural diversity and biological unity

Paulesu, E., Demonet, J., Fazio, F., McCrory, E., Chanoine, V., Brunswick, N., Cappa, S., Cossu, G., Habib, M., Frith, C. and Frith, U. 2001. Dyslexia: Cultural diversity and biological unity. Science. 291 (5511), pp. 2165-2167. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1057179

Reading the mind in cartoons and stories: An fMRI study of ‘theory of mind’ in verbal and non-verbal tasks

Gallagher, H., Happé, F., Brunswick, N., Fletcher, P., Frith, U. and Frith, C. 2001. Reading the mind in cartoons and stories: An fMRI study of ‘theory of mind’ in verbal and non-verbal tasks. Neuropsychologia. 38 (1), pp. 11-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0028-3932(99)00053-6

Abnormal functional activation during a simple word repetition task: a PET study of adult dyslexics

McCrory, E., Frith, U., Brunswick, N. and Price, C. 2000. Abnormal functional activation during a simple word repetition task: a PET study of adult dyslexics. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. 12 (5), pp. 753-762. https://doi.org/10.1162/089892900562570

Trait and state EEG indices of information processing in developmental dyslexia

Rippon, G. and Brunswick, N. 2000. Trait and state EEG indices of information processing in developmental dyslexia. International Journal of Psychophysiology. 36 (3), pp. 251-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8760(00)00075-1

A cultural effect on brain function

Paulesu, E., McCrory, E., Fazio, F., Menoncello, L., Brunswick, N., Cappa, S., Cotelli, M., Cossu, G., Corte, F., Lorusso, M., Pesenti, S., Gallagher, A., Perani, D., Price, C., Frith, C. and Frith, U. 2000. A cultural effect on brain function. Nature Neuroscience. 3 (1), pp. 91-96. https://doi.org/10.1038/71163

Explicit and implicit processing of words and pseudowords by adult developmental dyslexics - a search for Wernicke's Wortschatz?

Brunswick, N., McCrory, E., Price, C., Frith, C. and Frith, U. 1999. Explicit and implicit processing of words and pseudowords by adult developmental dyslexics - a search for Wernicke's Wortschatz? Brain. 122 (10), pp. 1901-1917. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/122.10.1901

Cognitive and psychophysiological correlates of handedness and reading ability

Rippon, G. and Brunswick, N. 1997. Cognitive and psychophysiological correlates of handedness and reading ability. International Journal of Psychophysiology. 25 (1), p. 31. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8760(97)85416-5

Auditory event-related potentials, dichotic-listening performance and handedness as indexes of lateralization in dyslexic and normal readers

Brunswick, N. and Rippon, G. 1994. Auditory event-related potentials, dichotic-listening performance and handedness as indexes of lateralization in dyslexic and normal readers. International Journal of Psychophysiology. 18 (3), pp. 265-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8760(94)90012-4
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