Jennifer Marie Thomson

Assistant Professor of Education

Profile

Jenny Thomson’s research focuses upon reading difficulties and the application of neuroscience to the study of learning disabilities. With a background in Speech Pathology, Thomson’s doctoral work probed the exact nature of phonological deficit in dyslexia. This included looking at the influence of linguistic factors upon phonological representation specificity such as phonological neighborhood density. The work also examined basic auditory perceptual processes that could affect phonological representation development, notably speech rhythm sensitivity. As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Cambridge, UK and now at HGSE, Thomson is continuing to explore the link between rhythm sensitivity and reading. Her particular interest is the educational implications of this relationship. She is also using neuro-imaging techniques such as event-related-potentials (ERPs) with dual aims: to investigate the neural signatures of rhythm and reading ability, but also to explore how neuroscience can be optimally used to inform educational practice.
Visit the Future of Learning Initiative.

Degrees

• Ph.D., University College London