Dr Claire Hanley

Senior Lecturer

Psychology

c.j.hanley@swansea.ac.uk

Office - 802
Eighth Floor
Vivian Building
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9520-8490

ResearchGate

About

My research centres on modulating and measuring neural activity. I have a particular interest in plasticity and how our brains adapt and develop as part of the ageing process. Through the use of behavioural paradigms, neuroimaging techniques and brain stimulation methods, I aim to investigate age-related changes within specific brain regions and diffuse neural networks in both health and disease.

For more information, take a look at the Brain Plasticity Lab page.

• BSc (Hons), Psychology, Swansea University
• MRes, Brain Imaging & Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Birmingham
• PhD, Psychology (Advanced Neuroimaging Methods), Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC)

Areas Of Expertise

ageing
brain stimulation
cognitive neuroscience
inhibition & cognitive control
neuroimaging

Publications

Research Highlights

Hanley, C., Burns, N., Thomas, H., Marstaller, L., & Burianova, H. (2022). The effects of age-bias on neural correlates of successful and unsuccessful response inhibition. Behavioural Brain Research, 428, 113877
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113877, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59799
Hanley, C., Alderman, S., & Clemence, E. (2020). Optimising Cognitive Enhancement: Systematic Assessment of the Effects of tDCS Duration in Older Adults. Brain Sciences, 10(5), 304
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10050304, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54296
Torrens-Burton, A., Hanley, C., Wood, R., Basoudan, N., Norris, J., Richards, E., & Tales, A. (2020). Lacking Pace but Not Precision: Age-Related Information Processing Changes in Response to a Dynamic Attentional Control Task. Brain Sciences, 10(6), 390
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060390, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54544
Hanley, C. & Tales, A. (2021). Visual Attention-Related Processing: Perspectives from Ageing, Cognitive Decline and Dementia. Brain Sciences, 11(2), 206
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11020206, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56253
Richards, E., Tales, A., Bayer, A., Norris, J., Hanley, C., & Thornton, I. (2021). Reaction Time Decomposition as a Tool to Study Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports, 5(1), 625-636.
https://doi.org/10.3233/adr-210029, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57313

All Research

Journal Articles

RICHARDS, L., Carter, N., Hanley, C., Barnes, C., Summers, H., Porter, A., & Tales, A. (2024). Individual Differences in the Impact of Distracting Environmental Sounds on the Performance of a Continuous Visual Task in Older Adults. Brain Sciences, 14(11), 1048
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111048, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68139
Hanley, C., Burns, N., Thomas, H., Marstaller, L., & Burianova, H. (2023). The effects of age bias on neural correlates of successful and unsuccessful response inhibition in younger and older adults. Neurobiology of Aging, 131, 1-10.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.07.004, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63865
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.07.004
Hanley, C., Burns, N., Thomas, H., Marstaller, L., & Burianova, H. (2022). The effects of age-bias on neural correlates of successful and unsuccessful response inhibition. Behavioural Brain Research, 428, 113877
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113877, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59799
Brennan, A., Marstaller, L., Burianova, H., Benton, D., Hanley, C., Newstead, S., & Young, H. (2022). Weaker connectivity in resting state networks is associated with disinhibited eating in older adults. International Journal of Obesity, 46(4), 859-865.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-021-01056-1, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59148
Richards, E., Tales, A., Bayer, A., Norris, J., Hanley, C., & Thornton, I. (2021). Reaction Time Decomposition as a Tool to Study Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports, 5(1), 625-636.
https://doi.org/10.3233/adr-210029, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57313
Hanley, C. & Tales, A. (2021). Visual Attention-Related Processing: Perspectives from Ageing, Cognitive Decline and Dementia. Brain Sciences, 11(2), 206
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11020206, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56253
Torrens-Burton, A., Hanley, C., Wood, R., Basoudan, N., Norris, J., Richards, E., & Tales, A. (2020). Lacking Pace but Not Precision: Age-Related Information Processing Changes in Response to a Dynamic Attentional Control Task. Brain Sciences, 10(6), 390
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060390, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54544
Hanley, C., Alderman, S., & Clemence, E. (2020). Optimising Cognitive Enhancement: Systematic Assessment of the Effects of tDCS Duration in Older Adults. Brain Sciences, 10(5), 304
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10050304, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54296
Richards, E., Bayer, A., Hanley, C., Norris, J., & Tales, A. (2019). Reaction Time and Visible White Matter Lesions in Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 72(3), 859-865.
https://doi.org/10.3233/jad-190823, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52247
Richards, E., Bayer, A., Hanley, C., Norris, J., & Tales, A. (2019). Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Cognitive Impairment: Insights from Reaction Time Measures. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 72(3), 845-857.
https://doi.org/10.3233/jad-190889, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52248
Shafto, M., Henson, R., Matthews, F., Taylor, J., Emery, T., Erzinclioglu, S., Hanley, C., Rowe, J., Cusack, R., Calder, A., Marslen-Wilson, W., Duncan, J., Dalgleish, T., Brayne, C., Cam-CAN, ., & Tyler, L. (2019). Cognitive Diversity in a Healthy Aging Cohort: Cross-Domain Cognition in the Cam-CAN Project. Journal of Aging and Health, 089826431987809
https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264319878095, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52509
Hanley, C., Burianová, H., Tommerdahl, M., & Burianova, H. (2019). Towards Establishing Age-Related Cortical Plasticity on the Basis of Somatosensation. Neuroscience, 404, 407-412.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.01.023, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa48572
Hanley, C. & Tales, A. (2019). Anodal tDCS improves attentional control in older adults. Experimental Gerontology, 115, 88-95.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2018.11.019, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa46208
Hanley, C., Singh, K., & McGonigle, D. (2016). Transcranial modulation of brain oscillatory responses: A concurrent tDCS–MEG investigation. NeuroImage
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.12.021, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa25304
Hanley, C. (2016). Commentary: Systematic assessment of duration and intensity of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on primary motor cortex excitability. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 10
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00439, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29677
http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00439/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Human_Neuroscience&id=222294
Hanley, C., Tommerdahl, M., & McGonigle, D. (2015). Stimulating somatosensory psychophysics: a double-blind, sham-controlled study of the neurobiological mechanisms of tDCS. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 9
https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2015.00400, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24019

Supervision

Investigation into the efficacy of eye-tracking and neurochemistry to assess cognitive status in the ageing population. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Stephen Johnston

Taught Modules

PS-M54 Research Project in Cognitive Neuroscience

The module will involve planning, conducting, and reporting a substantial piece of cognitive neuroscience research of relevance to any discipline within cognitive neuroscience. It is intended that the dissertation will take the form of a scientific paper combined with a reflective review of the process of conducting the research.
PS-M68 Experimental Design I: Brain Stimulation

Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques provide the means to directly influence the way the brain behaves, and have therefore received much attention in cognitive and clinical domains. The module provides a comprehensive overview of the use of such methodology as part of cognitive neuroscience research. Topics covered during the module include: rationale for the use of brain stimulation and effective experimental design, distinctions between the various techniques and the inferences each method enables us to make, practical considerations when running brain stimulation research, and analysis of the results.
PSY212 Development Across the Lifespan

The first half of the module will explore age related changes in cognitive and moral development from early infancy to late adolescence. It will also consider the other major changes that occur in adolescence including social, biological, and neurological changes and how this might impact on normative development in this sensitive period. The second half will deal with health ageing in comparison to age-related disorders such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia. These issues will be considered in terms of brain anatomy and function as well as the effect on the individual and society. Current methods in ageing and developmental research will also be discussed.
PSY302 Development Across the Lifespan

The first half of the module will explore age related changes in cognitive and moral development from early infancy to late adolescence. It will also consider the other major changes that occur in adolescence including social, biological, and neurological changes and how this might impact on normative development in this sensitive period. The second half will deal with health ageing in comparison to age-related disorders such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia. These issues will be considered in terms of brain anatomy and function as well as the effect on the individual and society. Current methods in ageing and developmental research will also be discussed.
PSY319 Independent Research Project

Students conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a member of staff. The research topic is decided in conjunction with supervisors and Research topics. Students must design, conduct, analyse and write up a piece of research in order to achieve Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS). They must also complete an Ethical Considerations Form, showing that they have considered and resolved ethical issues relating to their project, and that they have implemented appropriate best practices for improving the reproducibility of their research.
PSY319W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol

Mae myfyrwyr yn cynnal prosiect ymchwil annibynnol dan oruchwyliaeth aelod o staff. Penderfynir ar bwnc yr ymchwil ar y cyd â goruchwylwyr a phynciau Ymchwil. Rhaid i fyfyrwyr ddylunio, cynnal, dadansoddi ac ysgrifennu darn o ymchwil er mwyn cyflawni Sail Graddedig ar gyfer Siarter gyda Chymdeithas Seicolegol Prydain (BPS). Rhaid iddynt hefyd lenwi Ffurflen Ystyriaethau Moesegol, gan ddangos eu bod wedi ystyried a datrys materion moesegol sy'n ymwneud â'u prosiect, a'u bod wedi gweithredu arferion gorau priodol ar gyfer gwella atgynyrchioldeb eu hymchwil.
PSY325 Independent Research Project - Joint Honours

Students conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a member of staff. The research topic is decided in conjunction with supervisors and research topics. Students must design, conduct, analyse and write up a piece of research in order to achieve Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS). They must also complete an ethical considerations form, showing that they have considered and resolved ethical issues relating to their project, and that they have implemented appropriate best practices for improving the reproducibility of their research.
PSY325W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol - Anrhydeddau ar y Cyd

Mae myfyrwyr yn cynnal prosiect ymchwil annibynnol dan oruchwyliaeth aelod o staff. Penderfynir ar bwnc yr ymchwil ar y cyd â goruchwylwyr a phynciau ymchwil. Rhaid i fyfyrwyr ddylunio, cynnal, dadansoddi ac ysgrifennu darn o ymchwil er mwyn cyflawni Sail Graddedig ar gyfer Siarter gyda Chymdeithas Seicolegol Prydain (BPS). Rhaid iddynt hefyd lenwi ffurflen ystyriaethau moesegol, gan ddangos eu bod wedi ystyried a datrys materion moesegol sy'n ymwneud â'u prosiect, a'u bod wedi gweithredu arferion gorau priodol ar gyfer gwella atgynyrchioldeb eu hymchwil.

Career History

Research Assistant, Medical Research Council - Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (University of Cambridge, UK)

October 2010 - October 2012

Other Roles

Dementia Research Group (Director), CHHS, Swansea University

2019 - Present
Employability (Departmental Lead), Psychology, Swansea University

2017 - Present

Key Grants and Projects

Welsh Crucible Seedcorn Funding Scheme 2019

Haptic MRI: A multi-disciplinary research collaboration between Swansea University (Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience) and Cardiff Metropolitan University (Art & Design)., £6000

Public Engagements

Previous public engagement activities include:

Soapbox Science
Pint of Science
Swansea Science Festival
BBC One Wales
The Conversation
Research showcases (Dementia Research Group)

Invited Presentations, Lectures and Conferences

Stimulating the Ageing Brain

October 2019

University of Southampton, UK
Anodal tDCS Improves Attentional Control in Older Adults

February 2019

3rd International Brain Stimulation Conference (Vancouver, Canada)

Dr Claire Hanley

Email address

Twitter Account

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Research Highlights

All Research

Investigation into the efficacy of eye-tracking and neurochemistry to assess cognitive status in the ageing population. (current)

PS-M54 Research Project in Cognitive Neuroscience

PS-M68 Experimental Design I: Brain Stimulation

PSY212 Development Across the Lifespan

PSY302 Development Across the Lifespan

PSY319 Independent Research Project

PSY319W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol

PSY325 Independent Research Project - Joint Honours

PSY325W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol - Anrhydeddau ar y Cyd

Research Assistant, Medical Research Council - Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (University of Cambridge, UK)

Dementia Research Group (Director), CHHS, Swansea University

Employability (Departmental Lead), Psychology, Swansea University

Welsh Crucible Seedcorn Funding Scheme 2019

Stimulating the Ageing Brain

Anodal tDCS Improves Attentional Control in Older Adults