Mathematical, Statistical and Computing Psychology Section
The MSC Section aims to promote the advancement and diffusion of the use of mathematics, statistics and computing in psychology and to arrange conferences, meetings, lectures and discussions of special interest to psychologists working in the field.
About
The primary aim of the Mathematical, Statistical and Computing Psychology Section is to provide an opportunity for those interested in mathematical (including computational), statistical (including quantitative and mixed methods approaches) and computing (including algorithmic, HCI and cyber-psych) related issues in psychology to exchange ideas and promote the discussion of these interests.
To facilitate this the section also works to arrange meetings, lectures, workshops and conferences of special interest to its members.
News
Events
Guidelines
Committee members
Chair: Dr Jessica Ann Diaz
(Jan 2025 – 2028)
Dr Jessica A. Diaz is a Lecturer in Psychology at Birmingham City University (BC), with a particular interest in cognitive neuroscience, focusing on human perceptual learning, neural plasticity, decision-making, and cognitive development.
She also has a strong interest in how the brain processes numerical information and how this may relate to dyscalculia.
Jessy completed a Licenciatura in Psychology and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at the Autonomous University of Madrid, both awarded with First Class Honours.
She then obtained an MSc in Brain Imaging and Cognitive Neuroscience with Distinction at the University of Nottingham, followed by a PhD in Computational Neuroscience and Psychology at the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, under the supervision of Professor Marios Philiastides.
After her PhD, she worked as an Interim Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University. Between 2018 and 2022, she held a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Computational Neuroscience at the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, working with Dr Ioannis Delis.
David Clark-Carter
(Feb 2023 – Feb 2026)
David Clark-Carter’s research career began with people who have sensory impairments; specifically, hearing and sight loss.
This maintained his interest in all aspects of psychology. He then specialised in health psychology - where he publishes on the psychological accompaniments of long term conditions, attempts to encourage healthy behaviours and discourage unhealthy ones.
Nonetheless, he has continued to be involved with research methods – his book, Quantitative Psychological Research is in its 5th edition and he is interested in how psychologists teach and use research methods.
Another longstanding interest is the history and philosophy of psychology – he was Hon Sec of the History and Philosophy Section of the BPS and Deputy Editor of its publication.
He has been Editor of the British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology and Chair of MSCP Section.
In 2016 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Education and Public Engagement Board of the BPS.
Matthew Hopkins
(Dec 2023 – 2026)
I am an Experimental Psychologist with a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, an M.Sc. in Cognitive Neuroscience, a B.Sc. in Psychology and in the final year of an M.Phys in Astrophysics and Space Science. I also hope to begin a second Ph.D. in Cosmology in the coming years.
As a lecturer in Evolutionary and Biological Psychology, at the University of Northampton, I am involved in several research projects that apply mathematical modelling to human behaviour.
Furthermore, I am constantly thinking of how we can improve psychological knowledge by moving away from a probabilistic account of behaviour to a more deterministic account.
Dr Krithika Anil
(Dec 2023 – Dec 2026)
Dr Krithika Anil is dedicated to exploring interdisciplinary topics in health.
Her current research is centred on brain-computer-face (BCI) learning, aiming to understand and optimise the interaction between the brain and technological interfaces.
Other research includes digital health, health behaviour change, decision-making in health, and reducing inequalities in research.
She collaborates closely with clinicians and other researchers to produce high-quality outcomes by ensuring accurate and valid statistical examination is applied appropriately during analysis.
Join
- Apply to join the section (students, affiliates, e-subscribers)
- Apply to join the section (graduate, chartered, and in-training members)
Membership of the Mathematical, Statistical, and Computing Psychology Section is only open to members of the British Psychological Society.
If you are not already a BPS member, you can join the Section at the same time as applying for membership of the society.
Benefits of belonging
Benefits of Mathematical Statistical and Computing Psychology Section Membership
- Access to awards and bursaries
- Advance notice and opportunity to input to the MSC Section Annual Scientific Meeting
- Contributing to policy consultation calls relevant to MSC Section
- Full access to the Section website
- Involvement in one or more of the MSC Section Topic Groups, which focus on specific section member interests, e.g. Quantitative Methods, Mixed Methods and Computer Use. Topic Groups are likely to develop and change, so you could help establish a new one
- News and updates via the Section's announcement and discussion mail lists.
Member Announcement Email List
The Mathematical, Statistical and Computing Psychology Section uses its membership announcement email list to inform its members of activities and initiatives that are relevant to their interests and to make requests for engagement on topical issues.
By becoming a member of the Section you are automatically added to the announcement list.
To receive these emails you will need to:
- become a member of the Mathematical, Statistical and Computing Psychology Section
- opt into receiving email communication and provide a working email address
These preferences can be updated by logging into your member portal.
If you have any queries, please contact Member Network Services.
To assist us in responding to your query please make sure to include your membership number and quote 'Mathematical, Statistical and Computing Psychology Section announcement email' in the subject line.
Member Discussion Email List
To join the Member Discussion List please login to your member portal and click on the Preferences tile, where you'll be able to join the discussion list.
To receive discussion list emails you will need to be
- a member of the Mathematical, Statistical and Computing Psychology Section
- opted into receiving email communication from the Society (you can change your preference by logging onto your account via the member portal)
Getting involved with the Mathematical Statistical and Computing Psychology Section Committee
The Mathematical Statistical and Computing Psychology Section relies on a wide range of people getting involved, and the work of the Section is largely achieved through the dedication of unpaid volunteers.
Our volunteers come from a wide range of different backgrounds, whether they be practitioners or academics, or full members or student members, and together form an open and inclusive community.