Dr Laura Crane

Academic qualifications

• 2006-2009: PhD in Psychology (awarded with no corrections), Goldsmiths, University of London 
• 2005-2006: MSc in Research Methods in Psychology (Pass with Distinction), Goldsmiths, University of London 
• 2002-2005: BSc (Hons) in Psychology (First class), Goldsmiths, University of London

Teaching

• Tutor to undergraduate students on the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme at Goldsmiths
• Tutor to Sixth Form Psychology students across South London (as part of the Goldsmiths Widening Participation team).

Conferences

Forthcoming

• Crane, L. (2011). Memory in adults with autism. Invited talk at the Blackheath Scientific Society. London: UK (20 May) 
• Crane, L. (2011). Autobiographical memory in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Invited talk at the Northumbria University Departmental Seminar. Northumbria University: UK (11 May)

 2010 

• Crane, L. (2010). Patterns and profiles of autobiographical memory in adults with autism. Invited talk at the Dame Stephanie Shirley Lecture Series: The Story of Me – Autobiography in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Reading: UK (2 Jul)

 2009

• Crane, L., Goddard, L., & Pring, L. (2009). Self-defining and everyday autobiographical memories in adults with autism. Talk presented at the British Psychological Society Cognitive Section Conference. University of Hertfordshire: UK (1-3 Sep) 
• Lambert, S., Crane, L., & Jackson, A. (2009). AS Level Extended Project. Talk presented at the Aimhigher Partnerships Annual Conference. City University, London: UK (24 Jun)
• Crane, L., Goddard, L., & Pring, L. (2009). The role of the self on autobiographical memory in adults with autism. Poster presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research. Chicago: USA (7-9 May)

 2008

• Crane, L. (2008). Autobiographical memory in adults with autism. Invited talk at the Autism Research Seminar. Goldsmiths, University of London: UK (21 Oct)
• Crane, L., Goddard, L., & Pring, L. (2008). Autobiographical memory in adults with autism: the role of personal goals. Poster presented at the British Psychological Society Cognitive Section Conference. University of Southampton: UK (7-10 Sep)
• Crane, L., Goddard, L., & Pring, L. (2008). Specific and general autobiographical memory in adults with autism spectrum disorders: the role of goal pursuit. Poster presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research. London: UK (15-17 May)
• Crane, L., & Goddard, L. (2008). Remembering the past: insights from autism. Poster presented at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference. The Royal Dublin Society: Ireland (2-4 Apr)

Research interests

• Autobiographical memory and future thinking in adults with autism
  As part of her PhD studies (supervised by Dr Lorna Goddard and Prof. Linda Pring, Goldsmiths), Laura explored the autobiographical memory difficulties experienced by adults with autism. As well as exploring the nature of autobiographical memory in this group, Laura examined the mechanisms underlying these difficulties and how the patterns and profiles of autobiographical memory in autism differed to those observed in other clinical disorders (e.g., depression). Laura is currently working with Dr Sophie Lind (Durham) on a project assessing past and future thinking in adults with autism.
  
  
• Sensory processing in neurodevelopmental disorders
  During her PhD, Laura examined self-reported levels of sensory processing in adults with autism, relative to typical adults. Extending this work, Laura has recently co-authored a book chapter with Dr Elisabeth Hill and Dr Andy Bremner (Goldsmiths) on multisensory processing in neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism, developmental coordination disorder and developmental dyslexia).
  
  
• Cognitive processing of emotions in adults with autism spectrum disorder and their relatives
  Laura is currently working with Dr Elisabeth Hill (Goldsmiths) and Dr Sylvie Berthoz (INSERM) on a project exploring the cognitive processing of emotions (including alexithymia, depression, anxiety, and anhedonia) in adults with autism, their first-degree relatives and typical adults.
  
  
• Creativity in adults with autism (including savants)
  Since completing her PhD, Laura has worked with Prof. Linda Pring (Goldsmiths) on a number of projects exploring the cognitive components of creativity in savant artists with autism. In collaboration with innovations company BrainJuicer, Laura is also working on a project exploring creativity in adults with autism. The aim of this project is to identify the creative strengths and weaknesses of this group.
  
  
• Eyewitness memory in children
  In collaboration with Dr Anne Ridley (LSBU), Laura is involved in a project examining the effects of age and retrieval aids on the written and verbal recall of child eyewitnesses. She is also working on a project assessing eyewitness memory in children with intellectual disabilities (with Prof. Lucy Henry and Dr Anne Ridley, LSBU).  
  
  
• Predictors of attainment in higher education
  At LSBU, Laura is assisting Dr Anne Ridley with the analysis of a large dataset exploring the predictors of attainment (e.g., gender, age, ethnicity) in higher education.

Selected publications

Peer reviewed articles and book chapters:

Forthcoming 

• Crane, L., Pring, L., Ryder, N., & Hermelin, B. (forthcoming). Executive functions in savant artists with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Henry, L.A., Ridley, A.M., Perry, J.F., & Crane, L. (forthcoming). Perceived credibility and eyewitness testimony of children with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research
• Hill, E.L., Crane, L., & Bremner, A.J. (forthcoming). Developmental disorders and multisensory perception. In Bremner, A.J., Lewkowicz, D., & Spence, C. (Eds.) Multisensory development. Oxford: Oxford University Press

2010 

• Crane, L., Goddard, L., & Pring, L. (2010). Self-defining and Everyday Autobiographical Memories in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(3), 383-391
• Pring, L., Ryder, N., Crane, L., & Hermelin, B. (2010). Local and global processing in savant artists with autism. Perception, 39(8), 1094-1103

 2009 

• Crane, L., Goddard, L., & Pring, L. (2009). Sensory processing in adults with autism spectrum disorders. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 13(3), 215-228
• Crane, L., Goddard, L., & Pring, L. (2009). Specific and general autobiographical knowledge in adults with autism spectrum disorders: The role of personal goals. Memory, 17(5), 557-576

 2008

• Crane, L., & Goddard, L. (2008). Episodic and Semantic Autobiographical Memory in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(3), 498-506

 Book reviews and other professional publications: 

• Crane, L. (2009). Book review: Autism: An Integrated View from Neurocognitive, Clinical, and Intervention Research by McGregor, E., Núñez, M., Cebula, K., & Gomez, J.C., (Eds). Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 13(4), 453-456 
• Crane, L. (2008) A degree beyond. The Psychologist, 21(12), 1048-1049 
• Crane, L. (2008). Book review: Memory in Autism by Boucher, J. & Bowler, D. (Eds). Applied Cognitive Psychology, 22(7), 1015-1017