From undergraduate degree through to Professor at the University of Southampton.

We caught up with Hayward Godwin, Professor in the School of Psychology, as he prepared to give his inaugural lecture to find out more about his life and career to date…

What is your area of research interest? Why is this an area you feel passionately about?

My research mostly focuses on how people search for targets in the environment. I’ve always been interested, even as an undergraduate – I suspect because I’m actually terrible at finding anything in my daily life! 

What would you say has been your career highlight to date?

I’ve been fortunate in doing a fair amount of very applied research during my career, and that’s been a real highlight – I very much enjoy making a difference beyond the laboratory.

How long have you been at the University of Southampton? What do you enjoy most about being part of the University and FELS?

I’ve been here since I was 19, having completed my undergraduate degree here, so that’s 24 years now in total. I’ve always enjoyed the large and vibrant community we have here at the University and in FELS – there’s just so many researchers and students working on different things. 

“I’ve always enjoyed the large and vibrant community we have here at the University and in FELS – there’s just so many researchers and students working on different things.”

professor hayward godwin

What do you do to unwind?

Most of my time not working is spent with my wife and children, and my children in particular help me to have fun and live in the moment. I’ll mention it in my talk as well, but there’s been several occasions now where toys and games for children have ended up inspiring my research.

If you could pick any superpower, what would it be and why?

I’d say it would be the superpower to find the time to do all the many, many things that I want to get done on any given day. There’s always so much more to do!

What one piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Try to be more organised!