Dr Charlotte Rae

Associate Professor in Psychology

Biological basis of wellbeing at work

My research group investigates how the mind, brain, and body interact, using MRI brain scanning, physiology, and psychology.

In particular, we study the biology of wellbeing, and how occupational factors (such as how much time we spend at work) influences this.

Our work focuses on three main areas:

1) How does a 4 day working week change mind, brain, and body?
We are investigating how a 4 day working week can change the mind, brain, and body of staff switching to reduced hours at work. In collaboration with employers trialling a 4 day week, we measure how, and why, a reduction in time at work can help both wellbeing, and workplace performance. For more information, see the Sussex 4 Day Week Study website. This study is funded by UK Research and Innovation.

2) Biomarkers of occupational wellbeing
We are analysing data from the UK Biobank, to understand the biological impact that people's working lives can have. For example, is working longer hours associated with particular patterns of brain function, physical health, and mental health? This study is funded by UK Research and Innovation.

3) Environmental sustainability of MRI brain scanning
Our MRI brain scan datasets are increasingly large, and neuroscientists use increasing amounts of energy to analyse them. We have been measuring and identifying ways to reduce the carbon emissions associated with analysing MRI brain scans. This project is funded by the Medical Research Council and the Sussex Neuroscience Seed Fund.

For more information on our research, see the lab website.

Projects in the lab may involve human neuroimaging studies, particularly fMRI with connectivity analysis techniques. Projects may also involve physiological measurements (such as pulse oximetry or sleep monitoring with actigraphy), and wellbeing and occupational psychology data.

Students can acquire skills in programming (e.g. python), neuroanatomy, MRI data acquisition and analysis, and psychophysiological techniques, and working with applied populations.

Collaborators within Sussex Neuroscience include: