Research

Richard conducts research into where and how the human brain stores and flexibly uses our knowledge of people, objects, and words (in other words, our semantic memory). To do so, he employs a multi-method approach that includes behavioural measures (e.g., accuracy and reaction times), brain imaging and non-invasive brain stimulation.  Further, his research seeks to advance our understanding of language and behavioural impairments that result from brain injury and dementia, and use research findings to help people manage their language disabilities and social difficulties.

For further information regarding my research activity, please visit these external websites:

Lab Website

OSF Project Pages

Google Scholar Profile

Teaching and Mentoring

Richard teaches both on undergraduate and postgraduate modules, specialising in the following:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuropsychology
• Neuroimaging
• Neuromodulation (e.g., TMS, tES)
• Neuroanatomy
• Semantic Cognition
• Language
• Cognitive Communication Disorders

Room 307

Brigantia Building

Penrallt Road

Bangor

LL57 2DG

You can also connect with me via the following social media:

BlueSky

LinkedIn

• MSc
  University of Bristol,
• BSc
  University of Exeter,
• PhD
  University of Manchester,
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Richard is Module Co-Organiser for:

PPP-1005: Brain & Mind

PPP-4008: Methods in Language & Bilingualism Research

Richard supervises dissertations/projects at both the Batchelors' and Masters' level, and also supervises PhD candidates.

He is lead supervisor on the PhD projects undertaken by the following:

Irina Giurgea

Beca Mills

Richard's research spans several themes, including but not limited to:

• where and how the human brain stores our knowledge of people, objects, words and actions (in other words, our semantic memory). 
• how processes involved in semantic memory contribute to our engagement in social interactions (social cognition)
• what are the consequences of social and semantic processes  being impaired by brain damage or disease
• how is the brain wired to give rise to various cognitive functions
• how can we improve methods to study brain functions and connectivity (e.g., brain imaging methods)

For further information regarding my research activity, please visit these external websites:

Lab Website

OSF Project Pages

Google Scholar Profile

Self-funded (inc. agency-funded) projects:

Richard welcomes informal enquiries from prospective PhD students interested in projects related to semantic cognition, social cognition, cognitive communication impairment, and/or brain anatomy and connectivity. Please submit a draft research proposal (1-2 pages) to the above email address.

Funded/Studentships:

Studentship opportunities within the schol can be found at https://www.bangor.ac.uk/studentfinance/postgraduate/funding#psychology 

2025

• E-pub ahead of printAbstract Words are Hard to Acquire; Does Social Relevance Help?
  Mahmood, F., Muraki, E. J., Diveica, V., Binney, R. J., Protzner, A. B. & Pexman, P. M., 24 Jun 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Psychonomic Bulletin and Review.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• E-pub ahead of printContrasting the Organization of Concrete and Abstract Word Meanings
  Diveica, V., Muraki, E. J., Binney, R. J. & Pexman, P. M., 3 Mar 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Psychonomic Bulletin and Review.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• E-pub ahead of printMapping Contributions of the Anterior Temporal Semantic Hub to the Processing of Abstract and Concrete Verbs
  Muraki, E. J., Pexman, P. M. & Binney, R. J., 15 Apr 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Human Brain Mapping. 46, p. e70210
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• E-pub ahead of printPractical Routes to Preregistration: A Guide to Enhanced Transparency and Rigour in Neuropsychological Research
  Binney, R. J., Smith, L. J., Rossit, S., Demeyere, N., Learmonth, G., Olgiati, E., Halai, A. D., Rounis, E., Evans, J., Edelstyn, N. M. J. & McIntosh, R. D., 28 Apr 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Brain Communications.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
• PublishedThe multidimensionality, variability and flexibility of concepts. Opening Editorial
  Diveica, V., Muraki, E. J., Binney, R. J. & Pexman, P. M., 1 Jul 2025, In: Cortex. 188, p. A7-A14
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial

2024

• PublishedA neuroanatomical and cognitive model of impaired social behaviour in frontotemporal dementia
  Rouse, M. A., Binney, R. J., Patterson, K., Rowe, J. B. & Lambon Ralph, M. A., 3 Jun 2024, In: Brain. 147, 6, p. 1953-1966 14 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
• PublishedMapping Semantic Space: Exploring the Higher-order Structure of Word Meaning
  Diveica, V., Muraki, E. J., Binney, R. J. & Pexman, P. M., Jul 2024, In: Cognition. 248, 105794.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedOverlapping Neural Correlates Underpin Theory of Mind and Semantic Cognition: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis of 344 Functional Neuroimaging Studies
  Balgova, E., Diveica, V., Jackson, R. L. & Binney, R. J., Jul 2024, In: Neuropsychologia. 200, 108904.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• E-pub ahead of printSocialness Effects in Lexical-Semantic Processing
  Diveica, V., Muraki, E. J., Binney, R. J. & Pexman, P. M., 21 Mar 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2023

• PublishedA Network-level Test of the Role of the Co-activated Default Mode Network in Episodic Recall and Social Cognition
  Jackson, R. L., Humphreys, G. F., Rice, G. E., Binney, R. J. & Lambon Ralph, M. A., Aug 2023, In: Cortex. 165, p. 141-159
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedGraded functional organisation in the left inferior frontal gyrus: evidence from task-free and task-based functional connectivity
  Diveica, V., Riedel, M. C., Salo, T., Laird, A. R., Jackson, R. L. & Binney, R. J., 27 Nov 2023, In: Cerebral Cortex. 33, 23, p. 11384-11399 16 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedInvestigating the Role of Working Memory Resources across Aesthetic and Non-Aesthetic Judgments
  Bara, I., Binney, R. & Ramsey, R., May 2023, In: Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 76, 5, p. 1026–1044
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedQuantifying Social Semantics: An Inclusive Definition of Socialness and Ratings for 8,388 English Words
  Diveica, V., Pexman, P. M. & Binney, R. J., Feb 2023, In: Behavior Research Methods. 55, 2, p. 461-473 13 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedSocial Semantics: The Organisation and Grounding of Abstract Concepts
  Pexman, P. M., Diveica, V. & Binney, R. J., 13 Feb 2023, In: Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 378, 1870, 20210363.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

2022

• PublishedA Generalised Semantic Cognition Account of Aesthetic Experience
  Bara, I., Binney, R. J., Ward, R. & Ramsey, R., 13 Aug 2022, In: Neuropsychologia. 173, 108288.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe Role of the Ventrolateral Anterior Temporal Lobes in Social Cognition
  Balgova, E., Diveica, V., Walbrin, J. & Binney, R. J., 15 Oct 2022, In: Human Brain Mapping. 43, 15, p. 4589-4608 20 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2021

• PublishedEstablishing a Role of the Semantic Control Network in Social Cognitive Processing: A Meta-analysis of Functional Neuroimaging Studies
  Diveica, V., Koldewyn, K. & Binney, R., 15 Dec 2021, In: Neuroimage. 245, 118702.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2020

• PublishedSocial Semantics: The role of conceptual knowledge and cognitive control in a neurobiological model of the social brain
  Binney, R. & Ramsey, R., May 2020, In: Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 112, May, p. 28-38
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

2019

• PublishedA behavioral study of the nature of verb-noun dissociation in the nonfluent variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia
  Costa Beber, B., Mandelli, M. L., Santos-Santos, M. A., Binney, R. J., Miller, B. L., Chaves, M., Gorno-Tempini, M. L. & Shapiro, K., 1 Feb 2019, In: Aphasiology. 33, 2, p. 200-215
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published“Looks familiar, but I do not know who she is”: The role of the anterior right temporal lobe in famous face recognition
  Borghesani, V., Narvid, J., Battistella, G., Shwe, W., Watson, C., Binney, R., Sturm, V., Miller, Z. A., Mandelli, M. L., Miller, B. L. & Gorno-Tempini, M. L., Jun 2019, In: Cortex. 115, p. 72-85 14 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2018

• PublishedCathodal tDCS of the Bilateral Anterior Temporal Lobes Facilitates Semantically-Driven Verbal Fluency
  Binney, R., Zuckerman, B., Waller, H., Hung, J., Ashaie, S. & Reilly, J., Mar 2018, In: Neuropsychologia. 111, p. 62-71
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedConcrete versus abstract forms of social concept: an fMRI comparison of knowledge about people versus social terms
  Rice, G. E., Hoffman, P., Binney, R. J. & Ralph, M. A. L., 5 Aug 2018, In: Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 373, 1752
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedConcrete vs. abstract forms of social concept: An fMRI comparison of knowledge about people vs. social terms
  Rice, G., Hoffman, P., Binney, R. J. & Lambon Ralph, M., 5 Aug 2018, In: Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 373, 20170136.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedEstablishing the cognitive signature of human brain networks derived from structural and functional connectivity
  Jung, J., Visser, M., Binney, R. J. & Lambon Ralph, M., Dec 2018, In: Brain Structure and Function. 223, 9, p. 4023-4038
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedFrontotemporal stimulation modulates semantically-guided visual search during confrontation naming: a combined tDCS and eye tracking investigation
  Binney, R. J., Ashaie, S., Zuckerman, B., Hung, J. & Reilly, J., May 2018, In: Brain and Language. 180-182, p. 14-23
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2017

• PublishedAdvancing functional dysconnectivity and atrophy in progressive supranuclear palsy
  Brown, J. A., Hua, A. Y., Trujillo, A., Attygalle, S., Binney, R. J., Spina, S., Lee, S. E., Kramer, J. H., Miller, B. L., Rosen, H. J., Boxer, A. L. & Seeley, W. W., 2017, In: NeuroImage: Clinical. 16, p. 564-574 11 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedData-driven regions of interest for longitudinal change in three variants of frontotemporal lobar degeneration
  Binney, R. J., Pankov, A., Marx, G., He, X., McKenna, F., Staffaroni, A. M., Kornak, J., Attygalle, S., Boxer, A. L., Schuff, N., Gorno-Tempini, M. L., Weiner, M. W., Kramer, J. H., Miller, B. L. & Rosen, H. J., 12 Apr 2017, In: Brain and behavior. 7, 4, p. e00675
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe structural connectivity of higher order association cortices reflects human functional brain networks
  Jung, J., Cloutman, L., Binney, R. & Lambon Ralph, M., Dec 2017, In: Cortex. 97, December, p. 221-239
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2016

• PublishedA Neuropsychological Perspective on Abstract Word Representation: From Theory to Treatment of Acquired Language Disorders
  Binney, R. J., Zuckerman, B. & Reilly, J., Sept 2016, In: Current neurology and neuroscience reports. 16, 9, p. 79
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
• PublishedData-driven regions of interest for longitudinal change in frontotemporal lobar degeneration
  Pankov, A., Binney, R. J., Staffaroni, A. M., Kornak, J., Attygalle, S., Schuff, N., Weiner, M. W., Kramer, J. H., Dickerson, B. C., Miller, B. L. & Rosen, H. J., Feb 2016, In: NeuroImage: Clinical. 12, p. 332-40 9 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedDoes the sound of a barking dog activate its corresponding visual form? An fMRI investigation of modality-specific semantic access
  Reilly, J., Garcia, A. & Binney, R. J., Aug 2016, In: Brain and Language. 159, p. 45-59 15 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedFeatures of Patients With Nonfluent/Agrammatic Primary Progressive Aphasia With Underlying Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Pathology or Corticobasal Degeneration
  Santos-Santos, M. A., Mandelli, M. L., Binney, R. J., Ogar, J., Wilson, S. M., Henry, M. L., Hubbard, H. I., Meese, M., Attygalle, S., Rosenberg, L., Pakvasa, M., Trojanowski, J. Q., Grinberg, L. T., Rosen, H., Boxer, A. L., Miller, B. L., Seeley, W. W. & Gorno-Tempini, M. L., 1 Jun 2016, In: JAMA neurology. 73, 6, p. 733-42 10 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedHealthy brain connectivity predicts atrophy progression in non-fluent variant of primary progressive aphasia
  Mandelli, M. L., Vilaplana, E., Brown, J. A., Hubbard, H. I., Binney, R. J., Attygalle, S., Santos-Santos, M. A., Miller, Z. A., Pakvasa, M., Henry, M. L., Rosen, H. J., Henry, R. G., Rabinovici, G. D., Miller, B. L., Seeley, W. W. & Gorno-Tempini, M. L., Oct 2016, In: Brain: A journal of Neurology. 139, Pt 10, p. 2778-2791 14 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedMapping the Multiple Graded Contributions of the Anterior Temporal Lobe Representational Hub to Abstract and Social Concepts: Evidence from Distortion-corrected fMRI
  Binney, R., Hoffman, P. & Ralph, M. A. L., 17 Oct 2016, In: Cerebral Cortex. 26, 11, p. 4227-4241
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedProgression of brain atrophy in PSP and CBS over 6 months and 1 year
  Dutt, S., Binney, R., Heuer, H., Luong, P., Attygalle, S., Bhatt, P., Marx, G., Elofson, J., Tartaglia, M., Litvan, I., McGinnis, S., Dickerson, B., Kornak, J., Waltzman, D., Voltarelli, L., Schuff, N., Rabinovici, G., Kramer, J. H., Jack, C. & Miller, B. L. & 2 others, Rosen, H. J. & Boxer, A. L., 8 Nov 2016, In: Neurology. 87, 19, p. 2016-2025
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedReading words and other people: A comparison of exception word, familiar face and affect processing in the left and right temporal variants of primary progressive aphasia
  Binney, R. J., Henry, M. L., Babiak, M., Pressman, P. S., Santos-Santos, M. A., Narvid, J., Mandelli, M. L., Strain, P. J., Miller, B. L., Rankin, K. P., Rosen, H. J. & Gorno-Tempini, M. L., Sept 2016, In: Cortex. 82, p. 147-63 17 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2015

• PublishedDiffering contributions of inferior prefrontal and anterior temporal cortex to concrete and abstract conceptual knowledge
  Hoffman, P., Binney, R. J. & Lambon Ralph, M., Feb 2015, In: Cortex. 63, p. 250-66 17 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedEstablishing task- and modality-dependent dissociations between the semantic and default mode networks
  Humphreys, G. F., Hoffman, P., Visser, M., Binney, R. J. & Lambon Ralph, M., 23 Jun 2015, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 112, 25, p. 7857-62 6 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedUsing a combination of fMRI and anterior temporal lobe rTMS to measure intrinsic and induced activation changes across the semantic cognition network
  Binney, R. J. & Ralph, M. A. L., Sept 2015, In: Neuropsychologia. 76, p. 170-81 12 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2014

• PublishedFrontal white matter tracts sustaining speech production in primary progressive aphasia
  Mandelli, M. L., Caverzasi, E., Binney, R. J., Henry, M. L., Lobach, I., Block, N., Amirbekian, B., Dronkers, N., Miller, B. L., Henry, R. G. & Gorno-Tempini, M. L., 16 Jul 2014, In: Journal of Neuroscience. 34, 29, p. 9754-67 14 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe anterior temporal lobes support residual comprehension in Wernicke's aphasia
  Robson, H., Zahn, R., Keidel, J., Binney, R. J., Sage, K. & Lambon Ralph, M., 1 Mar 2014, In: Brain: A journal of Neurology. 137, 3, p. 931-43 13 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2013

• PublishedUsing in vivo probabilistic tractography to reveal two segregated dorsal 'language-cognitive' pathways in the human brain
  Cloutman, L., Binney, R. J., Morris, D. M., Parker, G. J. M. & Lambon Ralph, M., Nov 2013, In: Brain and Language. 127, 2, p. 230-40 11 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2012

• PublishedConvergent connectivity and graded specialization in the rostral human temporal lobe as revealed by diffusion-weighted imaging probabilistic tractography
  Binney, R. J., Parker, G. J. M. & Lambon Ralph, M. A., Oct 2012, In: Journal of Cognitive Neurosience. 24, 10, p. 1998-2014 17 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe variation of function across the human insula mirrors its patterns of structural connectivity: evidence from in vivo probabilistic tractography
  Cloutman, L., Binney, R. J., Drakesmith, M., Parker, G. J. M. & Lambon Ralph, M. A., 15 Feb 2012, In: Neuroimage. 59, 4, p. 3514-21 8 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2010

• PublishedThe ventral and inferolateral aspects of the anterior temporal lobe are crucial in semantic memory: evidence from a novel direct comparison of distortion-corrected fMRI, rTMS, and semantic dementia
  Binney, R. J., Embleton, K. V., Jefferies, E., Parker, G. J. M. & Ralph, M. A. L., 1 Nov 2010, In: Cerebral Cortex. 20, 11, p. 2728-38 11 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2025

• Cortex (Elsevier) - A Journal devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior (External organisation)

  Associate Editor

  1 Jan 2025 →

  Links:

  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/cortex
  Activity: Membership of board (Member)

2022

• British Neuropsychological Society (External organisation)

  Meetings Secretary (Executive Committee Member, appointed)

  2 Nov 2022 →

  Links:

  • https://www.the-bns.org/meetings
  Activity: Membership of committee (Chair)

• Social Semantics: An exploration of the meaning underpinning social words

  01/04/2020 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)