Dr Shumetha Sidhu

Dr Shumetha Sidhu

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Lecturer in Psychology

Biography

Dr Shumetha Sidhu received her PhD from the University of Nottingham in 2020. Her thesis was in the field of human visual perception, specifically investigating the mechanisms of figure-ground segregation of orientation-based texture stimuli. She uses psychophysical paradigms, computational modelling, and eye-tracking techniques in her research to explore early vision in humans. Shumetha’s current research area has extended into the field of cognition, specifically investigating lifestyle factors that improve cognition. She is particularly interested in what types of nature improves cognition; how digital technology can be used as a protective barrier against cognitive decline in the elderly population; and understanding visual search bottlenecks in cluttered environments.

Shumetha joined the School of Psychology at the University of Reading Malaysia in 2020, where she has since taught various psychology modules at an undergraduate level and supervised PhD students. Within the school, she serves as the Research Lead and Postgraduate Programme Lead, and at the university level, she holds the position of Director of Postgraduate Research Studies.

I am currently available to supervise PhD students and welcome enquiries from prospective candidates. Please feel free to get in touch to discuss potential supervision opportunities.

UoRM Programmes Taught/Supervised

BSc (Hons) Psychology & BSc (Hons) Psychology with professional Placement:

PY1INM Introduction to Neuroscience Methods

PY2RMP Research Methods in Psychology

PY3VIS Vision Science

PY3P Project

PhD in Psychology

Highest Qualification & Awarding Body

PhD in Psychology, University of Nottingham

Speciality Areas

  • Vision Science
  • Perception & Cognition
  • Eye-tracking Paradigms and Psychophysics

Research Interests

  • Texture perception
  • Second-order processing
  • Perceptual UI ergonomics
  • Vision and cognitive benefits
  • Ageing and cognition

Sidhu, S. K., Allen, H. A., & Keeble, D. R. (2023). Eye movements are made to the centre of gravity of texture-defined targets. Vision Research, 210,108264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2023.108264

Lua, L. F., Kong, X. N., Lee, J. K., & Sidhu, S. K. (2026). The sound of fear: how horror soundtracks shape threat perception of emotional faces. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 17470218261447279. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218261447279

Hoo, J. J. Y., Sidhu, S., & Tan, K. W. (2026). Sensing nature in the city: The role of sight and sound in restorative tropical urban green spaces. Plos one, 21(6), e0351647. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0351647

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