Hi Joshua, what is your background and job role at AU?

I'm British which these days seems to require the suffix "but...". I studied Psychology in the UK, gained some research assistant experience in Australia and then studied Food Science and Technology in Copenhagen. So, an inter-disciplinary background.   

I was the Assistant Lab Manager at COBE Lab from the Lab's initiation in August 2013 until September 2017.   

What are your main areas of research?

I'm interested in the intersection of food choice and psychology. Theoretically, I'm interested in ecological and social-cultural perspectives on development and learning, and then approaching eating behaviour from this vantage point. Perhaps this is a little different from traditional approaches in psychology—which tend to isolate the individual.   

Are you involved with any teaching at the moment?

Well, I left AU in September — so that is a no.  

How did you hear about Cognition and Behavior Lab?

COBE Lab Advisory Board Member Joachim Scholderer delivered some lectures during my time at the University of Copenhagen, and I was interested in what he was discussing. Subsequent correspondence lead me to hear of COBE Lab, and I guess the rest is history.  

Have you used the Lab? If so, what are the benefits for researchers?

As Assistant Lab Manager I used Lab in almost all capacities. Dan and I have tried to optimise the research procedure from all perspectives (e.g., researcher, management, ethics) and have tried to make the lab an engaging and welcoming place to conduct research. As a researcher I have had the chance to conduct experiments, typically in Lab 2, and thereby practice what I preach.   

Is there a particular recommendation you would like to pass on to other researchers? Something you wish you had known before you started, or just a useful trick.

Good question—always look after the management team! More seriously, Dan and I have written quite extensive information on the website regarding how to do/use certain resources. Besides that, there are individuals at AU that have expertise in specific software or hardware. A huge benefit of COBE Lab is that there is a collaborative spirit among researchers, and therein to aid and help others that may require assistance. 

Could you recommend one academic book to fellow colleagues that you think is of great interest?

Just one book is tricky...I'll pick a book that I anticipate is unread by most researchers, namely Harry Heft's 'Ecological Psychology in Context' (2001). The book describes and evaluates psychology's lineage from William James, through Edwin Holt, to James Gibson and Roger Barker, before extending their respective ideas and theories. A very interesting book that espouses important, if not challenging, viewpoints. 

Away from your research, what do you enjoy doing?

Mainly playing and writing music.   

Finally, which Associated Researcher would you like to see under 'Spotlight' next time?

Joshua Skewes