Leigh Riby

Professor Leigh Riby

Professor

School: Psychology

Leigh Riby 255 He obtained his PhD in 2001 from Bristol University (executive functioning in old age) before moving on to Stirling to undertake a post-doctoral position investigating episodic memory using EEG and fMRI methodology. Leigh also held a lectureship at Glasgow Caledonian University.

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Key Publications

Elevated Blink Rates Predict Mind Wandering: Dopaminergic Insights into Attention and Task Focus, Riby, L., Marr, L., Barron-Millar, L., Greer, J., Hamilton, C., McGann, D., Smallwood, J. 14 Mar 2025, In: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
The impact of a rosemary containing drink on event-related potential neural markers of sustained attention, Riby, L., Edwards, S., Mcdonald, H., Moss, M. 1 Jun 2023, In: PLoS One
Unlocking the Beat: Dopamine and Eye Blink Response to Classical Music, Riby, L., Fenwick, S., Kardzhieva, D., Allan, B., McGann, D. 20 Jun 2023, In: NeuroSci
Age-related changes in ongoing thought relate to external context and individual cognition, Turnbull, A., Poerio, G., Ho, N., Martinon, L., Riby, L., Lin, F., Jefferies, E., Smallwood, J. 1 Nov 2021, In: Consciousness and Cognition
An EEG investigation of alpha and beta activity during resting states in adults with Williams syndrome, Greer, J., Riby, D., Mcmullon, M., Hamilton, C., Riby, L. 1 Dec 2021, In: BMC psychology
The impact of social isolation and changes in work patterns on ongoing thought during the first COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom, Mckeown, B., Poerio, G., Strawson, W., Martinon, L., Riby, L., Jefferies, E., McCall, C., Smallwood, J. 5 Oct 2021, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Mindfulness in primary school children as a route to enhanced life satisfaction, positive outlook and effective emotion regulation, Amundsen, R., Riby, L., Hamilton, C., Hope, M., Mcgann, D. Dec 2020, In: BMC psychology
Frogs' Legs Versus Roast Beef: How Culture Can Influence Mind-Wandering Episodes Across the Lifespan, Martinon, L., Smallwood, J., Hamilton, C., Riby, L. 7 Jun 2019, In: Europe's Journal of Psychology
Patterns of on-task thought in older age are associated with changes in functional connectivity between temporal and prefrontal regions, Martinon, L., Riby, L., Poerio, G., Wang, H., Jefferies, E., Smallwood, J. 1 Jun 2019, In: Brain and Cognition
Perfectionism and PERMA: The Benefits of Other-Oriented Perfectionism, Birch, H., McGann, D., Riby, L. 3 Apr 2019, In: International Journal of Wellbeing

Further Information

Prof. Riby began his academic life studying for a PhD at Bristol University in experimental psychology on the topic of attentional control and multi-tasking in ageing. He then moved on to Stirling University to obtain his post-doctoral training in the use of multimodal brain imaging in the investigation of human memory. This early work was influential in driving his interest in the use of mixed methodology (behavioural, neuropsychological and imaging) to explore some of the critical research challenges in the field of gerontology. For instance, a programme of work is using brain imaging techniques (EEG and fMRI) to examine self-generated thought and mind-wandering patterns across the lifespan. The research examines how differences in brain network connectivity in ageing between temporal and prefrontal brain regions predicts positive impacts on behaviour (e.g. creativity; problem-solving; positive aspects of self-reflection). Beyond fundamental science, his intervention work aims to use what we have learnt in the lab to build novel and engaging programmes to encourage the use of untapped brain resources, promoting enhanced mental performance and wellbeing as we grow older. Prof. Riby’s work overall aims to lead theoretical and methodological development of successful and less successful ageing (e.g. diabetes; dementia) with the emphasis that decline is not inevitable. Further interests include the nutritional neurosciences, cognitive neuroscience of mindfulness/meditation and the link between mindful running and psychological wellbeing.