People
Paul Atchley
Professor
Contact
Office: PCD 4142
Email
LINKS
BIO
Dr. Atchley has been conducting research and teaching about cognitive factors related to driving for over 25 years. He is currently on faculty at the University of South Florida. Dr. Atchley received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside in 1996 and completed postdoctoral training at the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois in 1998.
Dr. Atchley has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and chapters on issues of vision and attention including their relationship to driving. He has also received awards for his service, research, teaching and student advising.
Dr. Atchley’s work has been highlighted by national and international press such as the BBC, NPR, and the New York Times. He is part of efforts globally to reduce distracted driving.
Dr. Atchley works with groups including the National Safety Council, LifeSavers, FocusDriven and We Save Lives to provide clear, compelling and consistently well-received talks about the science of distracted driving.
RESEARCH
The human brain is burdened to capacity and beyond by our technological environment.
My laboratory uses techniques from behavioral science, cognitive neuroscience, driving simulation and behavioral economics to understand the consequences of our choices and why we choose technological immersion, even when it places us at risk.
A key focus of our peer-reviewed work is the issue of distracted driving. We emphasize science for public impact - work to help inform the public - that is also accessible in other formats such as in Pulitzer Prize winner Matt Richtel’s book "A Deadly Wandering."
SPECIALTY AREA
CNS (Attention)