Dr Simone Lira Calabrich
Overview
Simone Calabrich is a lecturer in the School of Psychology and Sport Science and is also the marketing and recruitment lead for the Department of Psychology. She is the module organiser for two Year 1 modules: Research Methods I and Scientific Writing and Communication II. Additionally, she coordinates the Practising Oral Presentation Skills (POPS) programme for the School.
Simone supervises undergraduate research projects exploring topics in dyslexia, reading development, and eyewitness memory. During her PhD at Bangor University, she investigated the relationship between paired associate learning and reading ability in adults and children, using webcam-based eye tracking and mouse-tracking. During her PhD, Simone also contributed to the Research on the Instruction of Literacy with Language (RILL) programme, an evidence-based initiative aimed at supporting Key Stage 2 children. RILL was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on providing targeted one-to-one and small group literacy support to help children, particularly those who struggle to read, improve their literacy and language skills.
Simone holds two Master’s degrees: one in Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching from King’s College London, and another in Clinical Linguistics from an Erasmus Mundus consortium involving the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Groningen, and the University of Potsdam. She also earned a postgraduate certificate in Language Teaching from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This qualification was completed during her time as a Fulbright Program Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA), where she taught Brazilian Portuguese.
Simone has also been involved in creating resources for broader educational outreach. She helped develop and featured in an online course on Unifrog, a platform that supports students in exploring academic and career pathways, titled The psychology behind memory: can images make yours better?. Additionally, she delivered a webinar on the platform titled Memory on trial: can we trust eyewitnesses?.
Before joining academia, Simone worked as a language teacher and later as a language school coordinator, experiences that continue to shape her teaching and research.
Simone is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a recognition of her commitment to delivering high-quality teaching and supporting student development. Her teaching philosophy centres on creating inclusive and supportive learning environments that empower students to achieve their potential.
Qualifications
- PhD: Examining the relationship between paired associate learning and reading ability in adults and children, Bangor University
2019–2023 - MSc: Clinical Linguistics, University of Groningen
University of Groningen, 2017–2019 - MA: Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, King's College London
King's College London, 2013–2015 - Other: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha, 2012–2013 - BA: Modern Foreign Languages, Universidade Federal da Bahia
Universidade Federal da Bahia, 2002–2007
Teaching and Supervision
Simone is currently the module organiser on two Year 1 modules: Research Methods I and Scientific Writing and Communication II. She is also the Practicing Oral Presentation Skills (POPS) coordinator for the School of Psychology and Sport Science.
Simone currently supervises undergraduate research projects investigating the broad topics of dyslexia, reading development, and eyewitness memory.
Publications
2025
- PublishedEnhancing Communication and Employability Skills Through Peer-Led Oral Presentation Sessions
Lira Calabrich, S., Husband, S. & Owen, F., 27 May 2025, p. 47.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Other
2024
- PublishedCurrent opinions on audiovisual integration in typical & atypical reading development (COAIR): How specific is the paired associate learning deficit in dyslexia to cross-modal working memory?
Lira Calabrich, S., Clark, C., Downing, C. & Jones, M., 13 Jul 2024.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Other - E-pub ahead of printLiteracy Instruction from Afar: Evidence for the Effectiveness of a Remotely Delivered Language-rich Reading Programme
Downing, C., Evans-Jones, G., Lira Calabrich, S., Wynne, C., Cartin, R., Dunton, J., Elliott, R., Caravolas, M., Hulme, C. & Jones, M., 6 Jan 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Reading and Writing.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2023
- PublishedLiteracy Instruction from Afar: Evidence for the Effectiveness of a Remotely Delivered Language-rich Reading Programme
Downing, C., Evans-Jones, G., Lira Calabrich, S., Wynne, C., Cartin, R., Dunton, J., Elliott, R., Caravolas, M., Hulme, C. & Jones, M., 2 Nov 2023, PsyArXiv.
Research output: Working paper › Preprint
2022
- PublishedNavigating the shift to remote teaching: Lessons learned from delivering remote language and literacy instruction
Jones, M., Evans-Jones, G., Downing, C., Elliott, R. & Lira Calabrich, S., 31 Jan 2022, Impact.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
2021
- PublishedAudiovisual Learning in Dyslexic and Typical Adults: Modulating Influences of Location and Context Consistency
Lira Calabrich, S., Oppenheim, G. & Jones, M., 28 Oct 2021, In: Frontiers in Psychology: Language Sciences. 12, 15 p., 754610.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedEpisodic memory cues in the acquisition of novel visual-phonological associations: a webcam-based eyetracking study
Lira Calabrich, S., Oppenheim, G. & Jones, M., 2021, Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society . Vol. 43. p. 2719-2725
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Activities
2025
- Neuroethics
Neuroscience is advancing rapidly, offering profound insights into the human brain while raising complex ethical questions. Neuroethics sits at the intersection of neuroscience, philosophy, and policy, addressing dilemmas such as cognitive enhancement, brain privacy, and the ethics of neurotechnology. Here, we particularly address how neuroethics applies to neurodegenerative disorders. What are the implications of early diagnosis? How do we balance innovation and treatment with patient autonomy, especially as cognitive decline affects decision-making? What are the societal and moral consequences of genetic screening or neurotechnology for these conditions? Join this Bangor University webinar for an introduction to these complex societal challenges.
15 Jul 2025
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Organiser) - The Meaning of Life (and Other Words): How do Our Brains Learn and Store Concepts?
Our brains store a wealth of knowledge about the meaning of things, including objects (e.g. what is a table for?), people (how is a police officer likely to behave?) and words (what is the meaning of life?). Meaning is at the core of everything we do, and losing our sense of meaning (e.g., through dementia) has devasting effects. Going as far back as Socrates, scholars have pondered how we learn meaning and, today, neuroscientists are grappling with how it is represented in the brain. Join this Bangor University webinar to learn about the ways in which cognitive science and neuropsychology have contributed to our understanding of this fascinating aspect of the human mind.
17 Jun 2025
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Organiser) - The Power of Listening: How Counselling Can Change Lives
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with noise, the simple act of truly listening holds transformative power. This webinar explores how counselling - grounded in active listening, empathy, and psychological insight - can profoundly impact individuals’ lives. We will explore the science behind therapeutic listening, discuss real-world applications, and examine why being heard is often the first step toward healing. Drawing on research and practice, this session will highlight the ways in which counselling fosters resilience, personal growth, and meaningful change. By exploring the mechanisms underpinning the power of human connection, this webinar will offer valuable insights into the life-changing potential of effective listening.
20 May 2025
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Organiser) - The Runners High: Why Training for a Marathon Makes You a Better Person
The Psychology Department at Bangor runs a module for psychology students that teaches them how to run a marathon! Whilst this might seem a little crazy, the ability to achieve a difficult and long-term goal is really down to factors in the mind: willpower, planning, overcoming difficult challenges, building resilience, having the right mindset. This talk will introduce you to the module and also tell you why you’ll become a better person if you completed it (and the marathon, of course)!
9 Apr 2025
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Organiser) - Dwy iaith, dwy galon?
Yn y sesiwn hon, byddaf yn trafod sut gall yr iaith yr ydym yn siarad ddylanwadu ar y ffordd yr ydym yn prosesu, deall, a chanfod y byd o'n cwmpas. Byddaf yn trafod astudiaethau sydd wedi edrych ar effaith iaith ar ein gallu i brosesu emosiynau, ein canfyddiad o beth sy’n wir neu’n ffug, ac ein hymddygiad yn gyffredinol. I gloi, byddaf yn pwysleisio’r pwysigrwydd o ystyried y gwahaniaethau hyn wrth ddarparu gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl a chynnal prosesau cyfreithiol. Ymunwch am drafodaeth ddifyr ar gymhlethdodau iaith, hunaniaeth, a lles.
8 Apr 2025
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Organiser) - Music and the Mind
Have you ever wondered why a song can change your mood? In this webinar, we’ll explore the psychology of music. We’ll start by briefly discussing evolutionary theories of music perception, before looking at factors that can influence our appreciation of music. For example, we’ll consider how cultural differences, individual differences, and contextual factors can influence our appreciation and enjoyment of music. Finally, we’ll review research that has looked at the therapeutic benefits of music.
18 Mar 2025
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Organiser) - The Language of Sexual Crime: Balancing Acts in the Perception of Victim Credibility
This webinar explores how language influences the perception of victims in cases of sexual crime. Drawing from forensic psychology and psycholinguistics, we examine societal expectations of "ideal" victim behaviour and the caveats of using figurative language in victim testimony. Through research findings, we'll discuss how language choices can affect victim credibility, emotionality, and empathy in professional and lay audiences. By understanding these dynamics, attendees will gain insights into the intersection of linguistics and justice, highlighting the challenges victims face when narrating their trauma.
19 Feb 2025
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Organiser)
2024
- Memory on Trial: Can We Trust Eyewitnesses?
This webinar examined how memory works and the factors that influence eyewitness recall, such as the malleability of memory and the effects of suggestive questioning. It covered research on false memories and highlighted real-world cases where eyewitness testimony played a key role, sometimes with serious consequences. The session also covered how psychology is applied in legal contexts and the ethical questions involved in relying on eyewitness evidence.
28 Nov 2024
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - The psychology behind memory: can images make yours better?
The Psychology Behind Memory: Can Images Make Yours Better? is a course available on Unifrog, an online platform that introduces students to university-level topics and supports them in considering their academic and career goals. The Psychology Behind Memory: Can Images Make Yours Better? course introduces the concept of highly superior autobiographical memory and explores how visual imagery can influence memory performance. The course includes an interactive section where students can test their own memory and design a simple experiment. The 2024 version of the course on Unifrog features Dr Simone Calabrich, who helped develop and narrates it.
1 Oct 2024 – 31 Aug 2025
Activity: Other (Contributor) - International Enterprise Educators Conference 2024
4 Sep 2024 – 6 Sep 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Participant) - Deeside Sixth Higher Education conference
The Deeside Sixth HE Conference offered students the opportunity to explore higher education options. Participants learned about various scholarships, engaged in informative taster sessions, and gained valuable insights into their future academic pathways. The conference aimed to equip students with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their higher education journey.
4 Jun 2024
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Schools engagement (Presenter) - Bangor Science Festival - Psychology stall
The Bangor Science Festival, a key event during British Science Week organised by the British Science Association, was designed to inspire and excite young people about science. Its objectives included empowering young citizens and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers. The festival also aimed to improve public access to research and encourage discussions about scientific methods, their results, and their broader implications for society. Our department of Psychology participated with two stalls that featured various interactive activities, engaging attendees and highlighting the fascinating world of psychological science.
9 Mar 2024
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
2023
- Bangor University Community Day - Psychology stall
Bangor University Community Day was an event that welcomed the local community to explore the University and learn about its significant contributions to the social, economic, environmental, and cultural life of North Wales and beyond. The event showcased a range of activities. Our department of Psychology participated with a stall, offering various engaging activities for attendees, highlighting some of the department's work.
14 Oct 2023
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
2021
- Visual-Phonological Binding in Typical Readers and Adults with Developmental Dyslexia: An Online Webcam-Based Eye Tracking Study.
14 Jul 2021
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker) - Building an Engaging Child-Friendly Task for Remote Administration: Example of a Gamified Mouse-Tracking Task on Paired Associate Learning
29 Jun 2021
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Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker) - Audiovisual learning differences in typical and dyslexic readers
20 May 2021
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Activity: Oral presentation (Invited speaker) - Using Webcam-Based Eyetracking and Gorilla Experiment Builder in Cross-Modal Binding Research
25 Mar 2021
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Activity: Invited talk (Invited speaker)