I study nutrition and behaviour, and a large part of this research is concerned with how physiological, learned and cognitive controls on appetite are integrated. The results are relevant to identifying the causes of obesity and disordered eating, and to understanding food choice, food craving and food ‘addiction.’ I also work on dietary effects on mood and cognition; which includes research on how food consumption affects alertness and attention, and studies of longer-term influences of diet on psychological health. Linking the above areas is a third area of interest – the psychopharmacology of caffeine. My research on this ubiquitously consumed substance began with questions about how preferences for caffeine-containing drinks develop, and then focussed on caffeine’s psychostimulant, anxiogenic and motor effects. Caffeine provides a good example of the distinction between dependence and addiction. When frequent caffeine consumers interrupt their habit for more than half a day they function below par (dependence), but this does not cause a strong compulsion to consume caffeine. Currently, most of my research is directed at understanding appetite and weight control. Within this area I am working on projects investigating the effects of glucoprivation, the effects of low-calorie sweeteners consumption, the determinants of food reward (including meal enjoyment and satisfaction), weight management in type 2 diabetes, and food disgust. A good deal of this work is driven by the principles of the ‘saucepan and bathtub’ model of appetite control (Rogers and Brunstrom, 2016), which I am also currently developing into a more comprehensive account of relevant findings from biology and psychology.

Recent and current grants

• Various externally-funded PhD studentships. 2007-18
• Understanding decisions about portion size: The key to acceptable foods that reduce energy intake? Funded by BBSRC DRINC. Co-I, PI is Professor Jeff Brunstrom. 2009-2012
• Satiety effects of sugar-containing drinks. Funded by Sugar Nutrition UK. 2010-14
• Caffeine, alertness and performance. Funded by GlaxoSmithKline. 2010-2013
• Does flavour-nutrient inconsistency compromise energy regulation in humans? Funded by BBSRC. Co-Investigator, PI is Professor Jeff Brunstrom. 2012-15
• Understanding eating topography: The key to acceptable energy intake in humans? Funded by BBSRC and Nestlé. Co-Investigator, PI is Professor Jeff Brunstrom. 2012-2015
• Nudge-it. The Neurobiology of Decision Making in Eating - Innovative Tools. WP 'Deconstructing food choice: A role for sensory, nutrient and satiety reward.' Funded by EU FP7. Professor Jeff Brunstrom, Professor Peter Rogers and Dr Jon Brooks. 2014-2019
• Nudge150: Combining small changes to foods to achieve a sustained decrease in energy intake. PI, Co-Investigators Professor Jeff Brunstrom and Professor Susan Jebb. Funded by BBSRC DRINC. 2015-2018