Dr Xiaoyun Chen

ESRC Post Doctoral Fellow

Research Overview

My research aims to understand the mechanisms behind curiosity and information seeking — the curious feeling (manifestation), why we are so curious, what we are curious about, and its broader consequences.

Using a multi-method approach, I investigate curiosity through four key strands:

Neural and physiological basis of information-seeking: examining how brain activity and physiological responses relate to curiosity-driven behaviours in both children and adults.

Early executive function and curiosity in childhood: exploring how early cognitive abilities shape curiosity and learning in young children.

Curiosity and decision-making in autistic traits: investigating how curiosity influences choices and information-seeking in individuals with high autistic traits.

Curiosity and metacogntion: investigating the relationship between information seeking and metacognitive abilities in both children and adults