Research interests
Dr Holle is an experimental psychologist with expertise in both behavioural as well as neuroscience methods. While earlier work was focused on the relationship of gesture and language, he has more recently taken a more applied approach in his research. Through his studies on the sensation of itch he has become aware of the considerable unmet disease burden in skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Over the last few years he has initiated a research programme that addresses this unmet need. With the support of funding from the British Skin Foundation, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Psoriasis Association and most recently the National Eczema Association, he studied the psychological factors of resilience and vulnerability in these patient populations. Based on a better understanding of these factors, the longer-term aim is to develop effective cognitive trainings for patients via the internet that can be rolled out at scale at minimal cost.
Postgraduate supervision
Dr Holle is always very interested to hear from students, based at Hull or elsewhere, who are keen to get involved in research relating to itch perception, touch or gesture.
He usually has a number of ongoing projects that require data collection. This research experience would suit students who are considering applying for PhD funding and wish to develop their research skills / publication record.
Completed PhDs
- Olivia Jones (Primary Supervisor). 2013 - 2017. Exploring the Process of Itch and its Dimensionality: Investigations Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Funded by the University of Hull.
- Wanying Zhao (Primary Supervisor). 2014 - 2017. Exploring the role of inferior frontal and posterior temporal cortices in gesture-speech integration. Funded by the Chinese Science Council and the Hull-China Partnership.
- Sarah Etty (Primary Supervisor). 2019 - 2022. An attentional bias approach to Psoriasis. Funded by the Psoriasis Association.
- Erin Minton-Branfoot (Primary Supervisor. 2020 - 2024. Gestures as a stepping stone into rapid second language acquisition. Funded by the ESRC.
- Beth Richards (2025). The Influence of Breathing Pathway on Cognitive Processes
Current PhD supervisions
- Keryn Siddle (Second Supervisor)
- DiMcCarthy (Second Supervisor)