Tom Stafford.

Tom Stafford

Professor of cognitive science
University of Sheffield

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.

From this contributor

Explore more from The Transmitter

Ground squirrel.

How thirteen-lined ground squirrels illuminate retinal development

In most mammalian retinas, rods outnumber cones. But that ratio is flipped in ground squirrels, a quirk that helps Seth Blackshaw explore how retinal cells develop their identities.

By Sarah Thau
31 July 2026 | 5 min read
Research image of the association cortex.

Cortical territories compete in developmental space race

Sensory and association regions are established through a reciprocal process, according to a new model of cortical development.

By Holly Barker
30 July 2026 | 5 min read