Tom Stafford is professor of cognitive science at the University of Sheffield. His work applies insights from neuroscience, experimental design and data science to the topics decision-making, reasoning and bias. He is also senior research fellow at the Research on Research Institute, where he works with research funders to develop experiments that test improvements in the research funding system. Learn more.
Tom Stafford
Professor of cognitive science
University of Sheffield
From this contributor
Selected articles
- “Quantifying the benefits of using decision models with response time and accuracy data” | Behavior Research Methods
- “The experimental research funder’s handbook” | Research on Research Institute
- “The ideological Turing test: A behavioral measure of open-mindedness and perspective-taking” | Cognitive Science
Explore more from The Transmitter
Single gene sways caregiving circuits, behavior in male mice
Brain levels of the agouti gene determine whether African striped mice are doting fathers—or infanticidal ones.
Single gene sways caregiving circuits, behavior in male mice
Brain levels of the agouti gene determine whether African striped mice are doting fathers—or infanticidal ones.
By
Natalia Mesa
18 February 2026 | 6 min read
Inner retina of birds powers sight sans oxygen
The energy-intensive neural tissue relies instead on anaerobic glucose metabolism provided by the pecten oculi, a structure unique to the avian eye.
Inner retina of birds powers sight sans oxygen
The energy-intensive neural tissue relies instead on anaerobic glucose metabolism provided by the pecten oculi, a structure unique to the avian eye.
By
Federica Sgorbissa
18 February 2026 | 4 min read
Neuroscience needs single-synapse studies
Studying individual synapses has the potential to help neuroscientists develop new theories, better understand brain disorders and reevaluate 70 years of work on synaptic transmission plasticity.
Neuroscience needs single-synapse studies
Studying individual synapses has the potential to help neuroscientists develop new theories, better understand brain disorders and reevaluate 70 years of work on synaptic transmission plasticity.
By
Seth Grant
17 February 2026 | 5 min read