Role
Janet Vousden joined Nottingham Trent University in September 2019. She teaches Developmental Psychology.
Her research interests in reading are concerned with understanding how the structure of the language can inform pedagogy when thinking about how to teach reading, and how it can interact with individual differences in beginning readers. For example, frequency statistics, word type (eg regularity) and instruction type are all factors that can be investigated to maximise learning opportunities in the classroom.
Career overview
Janet was awarded a BSc in Computer Science at King's College, London, in 1990. She was awarded her PhD in Psychology by the University of Warwick in 1996.
SInce completing her PhD, Janet has worked at the University of Warwick researching computational models of short-term memory for serial order and exploring how statistical models of reading can inform reading instruction in the classroom.
In 2009 she moved to Coventry University where she was Principal Investigator on several large scale RCTs evaluating the effectiveness of a balanced reading programme aimed at KS1 children in the UK
Research areas
Janet's research areas focus on literacy development especially in relation to reading and spelling development.
She is currently Principal Investigator on a large Scale RCT examining the impact of a structured treading programme using online resources to supplement core reading teaching in England funded by the Education Endowment Foundation.
Additionally she is actively researching individual differences in spelling ability and in developing of a new spelling test for primary school children. Other projects she is actively involved with include examining the effects of type of instruction on reading in struggling beginning readers, and exploring the relationship between reading ability, reading practice and vocabulary.
Sponsors and collaborators
Janet has received funding from the ESRC, the British Academy, and te Education Endowment Foundation. The total value of grant funding exceeds £1.2 million.
Key collaborators include Prof Rob Savage (UCL), Prof Clare Wood (NTU), Dr Laura Shapiro (Aston University), Dr Georgia Niolaki (Coventry University).