Contact details +6469518083
Associate Professor Stephen Hill BA, MA, PhD
Associate Professor
Doctoral Supervisor School of PsychologyI am a cognitive psychologist with a particular interest in the ways in which people rely on their environments when they remember, reason, and make decisions. A good part of my research focuses on people’s metacognitive judgements about the role of the environment in their thinking and the cognitive biases and implicit assumptions that underpin these judgements. Currently I am studying beliefs about ‘hot topics’ such as conspiracies, urban myths, climate change, and juror decision making.
I am also interested in metascience and the open science, and the teaching of psychology at secondary school level.
Professional
Contact details
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Ph: 85083
Location: 3.18, Psychology
Campus: Turitea
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts - University of Canterbury (1989)
- Master of Arts (First Class Honours) - University of Canterbury (1992)
- Doctor of Philosophy - University of Canterbury (2002)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Supervisor, Massey University
Research Expertise
Research Interests
- Embodied and distributed cognitive science
- Collaborative cognition
- Environment stressors and cognition
- Psychology and climate change
- Lay cognition and misinformation
Thematics
21st Century Citizenship, Health and Well-being
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Cognitive Sciences (170200):
Psychological Methodology, Design and Analysis (170110):
Psychology (170100):
Psychology And Cognitive Sciences (170000):
Social and Community Psychology (170113)
Keywords
- Embodied cognitive science
- Cognitive psychology and experimental psychology (especially memory, executive function, reasoning and decision making, ageing and cognition, evolution of cognition, development of cognition)
- Psychology and climate change
- Philosophy of mind and philosophy of science (as they relate to psychology)
Research Outputs
Journal
Williams, MN., Marques, MD., Kerr, JR., Hill, SR., Ling, M., & Clarke, EJR. (2025). Does Developing a Belief in One Conspiracy Theory Lead a Person to be More Likely to Believe in Others?. European Journal of Social Psychology. Early View, Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.3153
[Journal article]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
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Read Abstract: 
Doyle, EEH., Thompson, J., Hill, SR., Williams, M., Paton, D., Harrison, SE., . . . Becker, JS. (2024). Differences in perceived sources of uncertainty in natural hazards science advice: lessons for cross-disciplinary communication. Frontiers in Communication. 9
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Hill, S., Hudson-Doyle, E., Williams, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Hill, S., Hudson-Doyle, E., Williams, M.
Read article at Massey Research Online:
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1
Williams, MN., Ling, M., Kerr, JR., Hill, SR., Marques, MD., Mawson, H., . . . Clarke, EJR. (2024). People do change their beliefs about conspiracy theories—but not often. Scientific Reports. 14(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
Read article at Massey Research Online:
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7
Doyle, EEH., Thompson, J., Hill, S., Williams, M., Paton, D., Harrison, S., . . . Becker, J. (2023). Where does scientific uncertainty come from, and from whom? Mapping perspectives of natural hazards science advice. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 96
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Hill, S., Hudson-Doyle, E., Williams, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Hill, S., Hudson-Doyle, E., Williams, M.
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3
Marques, MD., Hill, SR., Clarke, EJR., Williams, MN., Ling, M., Kerr, JR., . . . Sibley, CG. (2022). Democracy and belief in conspiracy theories in New Zealand. Australian Journal of Political Science. 57(3), 264-279
[Journal article]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
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Read Abstract:
8
Book
Hill, SR. (2009). Stretching detection: The unique selling point of embodied cognitive science.. In T. Teo, P. Stenner, A. Rutherford, E. Park, & C. Baerveldt (Eds.) Varieties of theoretical psychology: International philosophical and practical concerns.. (pp. 125 - 134). Concord, Canada: Captus
[Chapter]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Hill, S.
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Stewart Williams, SJ., Podd, JV., & Hill, SR. (2006). Elements of an evolved conceptual framework. In CM. Fletcher Flinn, & GM. Haberman (Eds.) Cognition and Language: Perspectives from New Zealand. (pp. 227 - 238). Bowen Hills, QLD: Australian Academic Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Hill, S.
Hill, SR. (2006). Are humans mobot minded? Some implications of embodied cognitive science for cognitive psychology. In CM. Fletcher Flinn, & GM. Haberman (Eds.) Cognition and Language: Perspectives from New Zealand. (pp. 257 - 269). Bowen Hills, QLD: Australian Academic Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Hill, S.
Thesis
Hill, SR. (2000). Where is cognition? Towards an embodied, situated, and distributed interactionist theory of cognitive activity.. (Doctoral Thesis, University of Canterbury, NZ)
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Hill, S.
Report
Bear, T., Hill, SR., & Mundel, T.(2014). Does mild dehydration affect pain tolerance and sensitivity by way of its effect on anxiety and catastrophizing?.
[Technical Report]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Technical Report]Authored by: Hill, S.
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Conference
Hudson-Doyle, E., Thompson, J., Hill, S., Williams, M., Paton, D., Bostrom, A., . . . Becker, J.Mental models and the understanding of hazard and risk: lessons for communicating uncertainty in volcanology.. . Rotorua, New Zealand
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Becker, J., Hill, S., Hudson-Doyle, E., Williams, M.
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Becker, J., Hill, S., Hudson-Doyle, E., Williams, M.
Hill, S. (2022, November). Metadragons of inaction: Do our methods constrain the way we think about behavioural change in climate change research?. Presented at UC Metascience. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S.
Read Abstract:
Hudson-Doyle, E., Thompson, J., Hill, S., Williams, M., Paton, D., Harrison, S., . . . Becker, J.Uncertainty: Where do individuals think it comes from? Understanding mental models of natural hazards science and advice.. . Palmerston North, New Zealand
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Becker, J., Hill, S., Hudson-Doyle, E., Williams, M.
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Becker, J., Hill, S., Hudson-Doyle, E., Williams, M.
Williams, M., Ling, M., Kerr, JR., Hill, S., Marques, MD., & Mawson, HS. (2022, February). Changes in beliefs in conspiracy theories in Australasians in 2021: Findings of a longitudinal investigation. Presented at Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine Conference. Online.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
Read Abstract:
Kember, S., Williams, M., Hill, S., & Taylor, J. (2022, February). Vaccination in Aotearoa: the role of anticipated regret, temporal discounting and maternal mental health. Presented at Australasian Society of Behavioural Health and Medicine Conference
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S., Taylor, J., Williams, M.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S., Taylor, J., Williams, M.
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Other
Kember, S., Williams, M., Hill, S., Taylor, J., & Taylor, J. (2022, February). Vaccination in Aotearoa: The role of anticipated regret, temporal discounting and maternal mental health. In Australasian Society of Behavioural Health and Medicine Conference. Presented at Brisbane (online).
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S., Taylor, J., Williams, M.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S., Taylor, J., Williams, M.
Read Abstract:
Huggins, T., Peace, RM., & Hill, SR. (2013, March). Visually monitoring and evaluating community disaster resilience. In Disastrous Doctorates 2013.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S.
Huggins, TJ., Peace, R., & Hill, SR. (2013, March). Visually monitoring and evaluating community disaster resilience. In Disastrous Doctorates 2013, Wellington.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S.
Read Abstract:
Hill, SR. (2011, July). Why psychology is (or should be) a climate science.. In Massey University, School of Psychology Research Day.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hill, S.
Read Abstract:
Legg, S., Mundel, T., Hill, S., Gilbey, A., Ramon, A., & Schlader, Z. (2010, May). Are we flying dangerously? Mild hypoxia and complex decision making in aviation. In New Zealand Ergonomics Society. Presented at Rotorua, New Zealand.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gilbey, A., Hill, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gilbey, A., Hill, S.
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Uncategorised
Williams, M., Hill, SR., & Spicer, J.SeptemberNovemberWilliams, M., Hill, SR., & Spicer, J.SeptemberWilliams, M., Hill, SR., & Spicer, J.SeptemberNovemberNovember
[Preprint]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
[Preprint]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
Read Online:
Williams, M., Marques, MD., Hill, SR., Kerr, JR., & Ling, M.NovemberWilliams, M., Marques, MD., Hill, SR., Kerr, J., & Ling, M.JulyWilliams, M., Marques, MD., Hill, SR., Kerr, JR., & Ling, M.NovemberNovember
[Preprint]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Preprint]Authored by: Hill, S.
Read Online:
Williams, MN., Ling, M., Kerr, JR., Hill, SR., Marques, MD., Mawson, H., . . . Clarke, EJR.MarchNovemberWilliams, M., Ling, M., Kerr, J., Hill, SR., Marques, MD., Mawson, H., . . . Clarke, EJR.AprilWilliams, MN., Ling, M., Kerr, JR., Hill, SR., Marques, MD., Mawson, H., . . . Clarke, EJR.MarchNovemberNovember
[Preprint]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
[Preprint]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
Read Online:
Williams, MN., & Hill, SR.DecemberNovemberWilliams, M., & Hill, SR.JanuaryWilliams, MN., & Hill, SR.DecemberAprilApril
[Preprint]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
[Preprint]Authored by: Hill, S., Williams, M.
Read Online:
Young, T., & Hill, SR.NovemberNovemberYoung, T., & Hill, SR.MayYoung, T., & Hill, SR.NovemberNovemberNovember
[Preprint]Authored by: Hill, S.
[Preprint]Authored by: Hill, S.
Read Online:
Teaching and Supervision
Graduate Supervision Statement
My current research interests include:
- distributed and collaborative cognition (with a particular focus on memory). This work examines how people strategically use their environments and work with others when remembering, planning, and thinking about things.
- cognitive aspects of misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories;
- psychological consequences of climate change;
- metascience and open science, including people's understandings of uncertainty in science.
Current and recent thesis student projects include research on:
- Prospective memory in naturalistic settings (Alex Shepherd, Lucy Hudson)
- Expertise in chess (Nick Barr)
- The illusion of explanatory depth and collaborative cognition (Jess Riordan, Joe Pickering)
- Conspiracy theories, misinformation, and thinking strategies (Cassie Zi-Yah Chueh, Shani Luiters, Amanda Sextus)
- Relationship between anxiety, stress, and conspiracy belief (Nick Fox)
- Climate anxiety (Tamara McLean)
- Episodic memory (Sanya Verma)
- Dietary change in cognitively demanding situations (Delon De Bruin)
- Inattentional blindness in sport (Mel Blackmore)
Associate Professor Stephen Hill is available for Masters and Doctorial supervision.
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Main Supervisor | 2 | 7 |
| Co-supervisor | 6 | 21 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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Hamish More
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Doctor of Philosophy
Patterns of engagement with wicked problems - the role of multidisciplinary approaches to help achieve system/trajectory shifts -
Alex Shepherd
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Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Metacognition in relation to adult cognitive performance
Co-supervisor of:
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Xiaofang Xiao
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Doctor of Philosophy
The effects of selfie behaviours on attachment insecurity and relationship quality -
Laura O'Sullivan
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Doctor of Philosophy
Standing together at the veil: end-of-life experiences in Aotearoa and their impact on the grief of bereaved loved ones -
Sarah Barnes
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Doctor of Clinical Psychology
A Two Part Study Investigating Mental Health Literacy in Aotearoa New Zealand Parental Figures and Adolescents in the Community -
Tom Hadley
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Doctor of Clinical Psychology
A mixed-methods investigation into the positive effects of ecological restoration on mental wellbeing. -
Nick Fox
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Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Anxiety, depression, stress, and belief in conspiracy theories: A longitudinal perspective - view more...
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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2019
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Katie Knapp
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Doctor of Philosophy
Exploring the Relationship Between Working Memory Capacity and Task Switching -
2019
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Catherine Whitehouse
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Doctor of Clinical Psychology
The impact of social relationships on cognitive performance in the older adult: Emotional loneliness is detrimental to cognitive performance -
2017
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Lai Yin Leong
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Doctor of Philosophy
Exploring the effects of outdoor activities and connectedness with nature on cognitive styles and creativity -
2017
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Peter Clemerson
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Doctor of Philosophy
On the Origin of Cognitive Dissonance -
2016
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Kathryn Campbell
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Doctor of Philosophy
The Blue Brain: Hemispheric Asymmetry in Depression as an Explanation for Working Memory Impairment - view more...
Co-supervisor of:
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2025
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Tamara McLean
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Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Do Climate Anxiety and Pro-Environmental Behaviour Affect One Another? A Longitudinal Investigation -
2024
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Kathryn Connolly
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Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Shining a Light on Recovery: Investigating the Effectiveness of Bright Light Therapy in Mitigating Fatigue after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury -
2023
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Sarah Kember
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Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Vaccination in Aotearoa: The role of anticipated regret, temporal discounting, and maternal mental health -
2023
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Joanne Chapman
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Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Mapping the IFOF with a New Test of Semantic Association -
2023
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Emily Spill
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Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Is the Maternal ‘Babybrain’ Adaptive? Examining Theory of Mind, Emotional State, and the Association With Attachment Over Pregnancy and the Postpartum - view more...
Media and Links
Other Links
- Embodied/Embedded Cognition Lab - Lab website