Naveen Hanif
PhD Student

Profile

Biography

In 2017, I received my BSc in Speech and Language Sciences from The University of Sheffield. Whilst I was in my final year at University, I also worked as a Research Assistant for Dr Yael Benn (Manchester Metropolitan University) on a project exploring language and feature- based categorisation. Following this, I completed my MSc in Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience at Sheffield Hallam University. During this, I worked on a project exploring word recognition processes in speakers of morphologically rich and shallow languages. In 2020, I joined the Department of Psychology at The University of York, as a PhD student. My current work focusses on word retrieval and production processes in healthy ageing. In particular, my PhD is centred on how semantic and cognitive processes interact with age in spoken contexts, to affect the retrieval of words.

Career

• BSc Speech and Language Sciences- University of Sheffield (2014-2017)
• Research Assistant for Dr Yael Benn- Manchester Metropolitan University (2016-2017)
• MSc Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience- Sheffield Hallam University (2018-2019)
• PhD in Psychology- University of York (2020-2023)

Departmental roles

• Graduate Teaching Assistant
• Student Representative

Research

Overview

My research focusses on word retrieval processes and cognitive ageing. I am examining how age affects language production within spoken language contexts.

Projects

Through my research, I am exploring age effects on lexical retrieval processes in spoken language contexts. Typically, this phenomenon has been studied through the use of single word measures (such as picture naming); however, in natural, everyday speech contexts, language is produced within sentences, or as part of dialogues. Furthermore, language processes are influenced by the semantic information available within contexts (semantic information can help speakers to predict and prime upcoming words). I am interested in how language production in context relates to potential age-related declines in cognitive resources (e.g., working memory and executive/semantic control) as well as potential advantages related to semantic knowledge.

As part of my current project, I am studying the interactions between sentence-length, early vs late semantic priming, and age.

Research group(s)

Bilingualism and Language Control lab (PI: Dr. Angela de Bruin)

Collaborators

• Dr. Angela de Bruin
• Professor Beth Jefferies

Teaching

Undergraduate

• Graduate Teaching Assistant

Publications