## Research Interests * Cognitive psychology of literature * Non-linear narrative structures and their cognitive impact * Memory and emotional responses to reading * Cognitive models of narrative comprehension ## Academic Experience * **Assistant Professor of Cognitive Science** University of California, Berkeley — August 2018 to Present * Teach courses in cognitive science, narrative theory, and research methods. * Supervise graduate students in cognitive psychology and literary studies. * Lead a research lab focused on the cognitive aspects of narrative comprehension. * **Graduate Research Assistant** University of Chicago, Chicago, IL — September 2014 to May 2018 * Conducted research on how narrative complexity influences readers’ emotional responses and memory recall. * Assisted in data collection and analysis for a project on the role of narrative in cognitive development. ## Teaching Experience * **Introduction to Cognitive Science** — Instructor University of California, Berkeley — January 2019 to Present * Developed and taught a course introducing students to cognitive science, with a focus on the psychological study of literature. * **Psychology of Literature** — Teaching Assistant University of Chicago, Chicago, IL — September 2015 to June 2017 * Assisted in delivering lectures, grading assignments, and conducting lab sessions for a course exploring the cognitive impact of literary narratives. ## Research Projects * **"Narrative Structures and Emotional Memory"** University of California, Berkeley — January 2020 to Present * Principal Investigator of a project examining how different narrative structures, such as flashbacks and non-linear timelines, affect emotional memory. * **"Cognitive Models of Literary Comprehension"** University of Chicago — September 2016 to June 2018 * Conducted research on how readers create mental models of narrative structures during reading and how these models influence comprehension and emotional responses. ## Conferences & Presentations * **Cognitive Science Society Conference**, San Francisco, CA — August 2023<Presentation: "The Impact of Narrative Structure on Emotional Memory: A Cognitive Perspective"> * **International Symposium on Narrative Studies**, Boston, MA — November 2021<Presentation: "Narrative Complexity and Cognitive Engagement in Fiction"> ## Skills & Certifications * Data Analysis (SPSS, R, Python) * Narrative Analysis and Cognitive Modeling * Experimental Design and Lab Management * Certified in University Teaching (University of California, Berkeley) ## Awards and Honors * **Best Paper Award**, Cognitive Science Society Conference, 2023 * **Excellence in Teaching Award**, University of California, Berkeley, 2021 * **Outstanding Graduate Scholar**, University of Chicago, 2018 ## Publications * Smith, J., & Lee, K. (2023). "The Cognitive Effects of Non-linear Narratives: An Empirical Investigation," _Journal of Cognitive Science_, 39(4), 210-225. * Smith, J. (2021). "Narrative Complexity and Reader Engagement: A Cognitive Approach," _Literary Theory Review_, 42(2), 158-172. * Smith, J., & Green, A. (2020). "Emotional Memory and Literary Reading: A Psychological Perspective," _Journal of Literary Psychology_, 27(1), 92-106.  ## Education * **Ph.D. in Cognitive Science** University of California, Berkeley — May 2018<Dissertation: "The Cognitive Impact of Non-linear Narratives: Memory and Emotion in Contemporary Literature"> * **M.A. in English Literature** University of Chicago, Chicago, IL — June 2014<Thesis: "Narrative Complexity and Reader Engagement in 20th Century Fiction"> * **B.A. in Psychology** University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI — June 2012 ## About me I am a cognitive scientist and literary scholar with a primary focus on the intersections between narrative theory and cognitive psychology. My research explores how different narrative structures impact readers' cognitive processes, particularly memory and emotional responses. I am currently working on a project that examines the psychological effects of non-linear storytelling in contemporary literature.
Research Interests
- Cognitive psychology of literature
- Non-linear narrative structures and their cognitive impact
- Memory and emotional responses to reading
- Cognitive models of narrative comprehension
Academic Experience
- Assistant Professor of Cognitive Science University of California, Berkeley — August 2018 to Present
- Teach courses in cognitive science, narrative theory, and research methods.
- Supervise graduate students in cognitive psychology and literary studies.
- Lead a research lab focused on the cognitive aspects of narrative comprehension.
- Graduate Research Assistant University of Chicago, Chicago, IL — September 2014 to May 2018
- Conducted research on how narrative complexity influences readers’ emotional responses and memory recall.
- Assisted in data collection and analysis for a project on the role of narrative in cognitive development.
Teaching Experience
- Introduction to Cognitive Science — Instructor University of California, Berkeley — January 2019 to Present
- Developed and taught a course introducing students to cognitive science, with a focus on the psychological study of literature.
- Psychology of Literature — Teaching Assistant University of Chicago, Chicago, IL — September 2015 to June 2017
- Assisted in delivering lectures, grading assignments, and conducting lab sessions for a course exploring the cognitive impact of literary narratives.
Research Projects
- "Narrative Structures and Emotional Memory" University of California, Berkeley — January 2020 to Present
- Principal Investigator of a project examining how different narrative structures, such as flashbacks and non-linear timelines, affect emotional memory.
- "Cognitive Models of Literary Comprehension" University of Chicago — September 2016 to June 2018
- Conducted research on how readers create mental models of narrative structures during reading and how these models influence comprehension and emotional responses.
Conferences & Presentations
- Cognitive Science Society Conference, San Francisco, CA — August 2023<Presentation: "The Impact of Narrative Structure on Emotional Memory: A Cognitive Perspective">
- International Symposium on Narrative Studies, Boston, MA — November 2021<Presentation: "Narrative Complexity and Cognitive Engagement in Fiction">
Skills & Certifications
- Data Analysis (SPSS, R, Python)
- Narrative Analysis and Cognitive Modeling
- Experimental Design and Lab Management
- Certified in University Teaching (University of California, Berkeley)
Awards and Honors
- Best Paper Award, Cognitive Science Society Conference, 2023
- Excellence in Teaching Award, University of California, Berkeley, 2021
- Outstanding Graduate Scholar, University of Chicago, 2018
Publications
- Smith, J., & Lee, K. (2023). "The Cognitive Effects of Non-linear Narratives: An Empirical Investigation," Journal of Cognitive Science, 39(4), 210-225.
- Smith, J. (2021). "Narrative Complexity and Reader Engagement: A Cognitive Approach," Literary Theory Review, 42(2), 158-172.
- Smith, J., & Green, A. (2020). "Emotional Memory and Literary Reading: A Psychological Perspective," Journal of Literary Psychology, 27(1), 92-106.
Education
- Ph.D. in Cognitive Science University of California, Berkeley — May 2018<Dissertation: "The Cognitive Impact of Non-linear Narratives: Memory and Emotion in Contemporary Literature">
- M.A. in English Literature University of Chicago, Chicago, IL — June 2014<Thesis: "Narrative Complexity and Reader Engagement in 20th Century Fiction">
- B.A. in Psychology University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI — June 2012
About me
I am a cognitive scientist and literary scholar with a primary focus on the intersections between narrative theory and cognitive psychology. My research explores how different narrative structures impact readers' cognitive processes, particularly memory and emotional responses. I am currently working on a project that examines the psychological effects of non-linear storytelling in contemporary literature.