Mary Hagarty

A leader in transformative education for the field of psychological and brain sciences, Mary Hegarty is a distinguished professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. As a fellow of the American Psychological Society, she has made significant contributions to our understanding of spatial cognition and its applications in everyday activities. Her academic journey began at University College Dublin in Ireland, where she earned her BA and MA, before she pursued her Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University. Professor Hegarty's research delves into the intricacies of spatial thinking, particularly in complex activities such as comprehension, reasoning, and navigation. Her work is pivotal in understanding how individuals utilize both internal and external spatial visualizations to reason about diverse topics. By exploring individual differences in spatial abilities, she sheds light on the cognitive processes that underpin these skills. Her current research is particularly focused on the variation in navigation abilities and strategies among individuals. This includes examining how people with high spatial abilities excel in STEM disciplines, providing insights into educational strategies that can enhance learning and performance in these fields. Her work not only advances theoretical knowledge but also has practical implications for improving STEM education. Mary Hegarty's contributions extend beyond her research as she actively engages in mentoring the next generation of scholars in psychological and brain sciences. Her dedication to fostering a deeper understanding of spatial cognition continues to inspire students and colleagues alike. Through her innovative research and commitment to education, Professor Hegarty remains at the forefront of exploring the cognitive mechanisms that drive spatial reasoning and its impact on learning and problem-solving. Her work continues to influence the way we understand and approach spatial thinking in both academic and real-world contexts.