- Fellow type
- UK Fellow
- Year elected
- 2001
- Honours
- DBE
- Sections
- Psychology
Autism and dyslexia have been Professor Frith's main research interests over the last 50 years. She has attempted to identify the core problems of these neuro-developmental disorders at the cognitive level and made connections from cognitive mechanisms to underlying brain systems and studied their function and dysfunction. She has also made connections from cognitive mechanisms to behavioural phenomena and shown that they change as a result of compensatory learning. Currently she is thinking and writing about cognitive mechanisms that underlie our everyday social interactions, and in particular the automatic ability to take into account others' mental states. Professor Frith now spends more time on science communication and on the promotion of women in science. She is pursuing this through sponsoring women in informal networks, using social media, including her Twitter account @utafrith, and contributing to documentaries. She is a member of the British Academy Communications and Engagements Committee.
Current post
University College London Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development
Past appointments
Aarhus University Research Foundation Professor
2007 - 2016
University College London Professor of Cognitive Development
1996 - 2006
Medical Research Council Research Scientist
1968 - 2006
Top picks
Make up your mind(s)!
Essay
A pair of cognitive scientists, married for half a century, explain why two argumentative heads can be better than one
People of Science: Alice Lee
Video
Uta Frith discusses Alice Lee, whose work in craniology challenged the idea that women were intellectually inferior because they have smaller brain sizes.
Talking about autism research
Video
Uta Frith talks about the history and the future of autism, and discusses the strengths and challenges that seeing the world differently can bring.
Publications
Autism and Talent
Edited by Uta Frith, Francesca Happé - Published in 2010

Cognitive processes in spelling
Uta Frith - Published in 1980

Great Thinkers: Uta Frith FBA on M.R. James FBA
6 May 2019 Professor Uta Frith FBA
Psychologist Uta Frith FBA recounts fond memories of growing up with the ghost tales of M.R. James FBA and explores why we love to be scared.
