Professor Thomas Suddendorf
Professor

Thomas Suddendorf

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 58341

Background

Thomas grew up in Germany and joined UQ in 1999 following postgraduate studies in New Zealand. He investigates the mental capacities in young children and in animals to answer fundamental questions about the nature and evolution of the human mind. His research has attracted several awards (incl. from the Australian Academy of Social Sciences, the Australian Psychological Society and the American Psychological Association) and his critically acclaimed book The Gap (e.g. see reviews in Nature, Science or the Wall Street Journal) is currently being translated into several languages.

Availability

Professor Thomas Suddendorf is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Cognitive and computational psychology Psychology

Qualifications

  • Masters (Coursework), University of Waikato
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Auckland

Research impacts

In the news

BBC Radio 4 - All in the Mind, Time travelling in the human mind

BBC Future about the intelligence gap

Reddit Ask Me Anything 2016

Zeitzeichen Article in German

Global Leadership Series Presentation

BBC Earth Many animals seem to kill themselves, but is it suicide?

Coverage of 2016 Current Biology paper on neonatal imitation covered by media such as Science Daily, NPR, ABC online, The Daily Mail, & The Conversation

Q & A with Thomas Suddendorf in Current Biology 2015

Radio and TV Featured frequently in media in the US, UK, Germany, and Australia, incl. radio (e.g., RN's Ockham's razor), TV (e.g., ABC what makes us human) and internet (e.g. TEDx talk)

Book reviews of THE GAP have appeared in e.g. Nature, The Wall Street Journal, Science, Scientific American Mind, The Times, Kirkus Reviews, Journal of the History of Biology, Australian Book Review, Times Higher Education & New Scientist.

Extracts: CNN, The Chronicles of Higher Education, HuffPo , Psychology Today, and Slate

Search Professor Thomas Suddendorf’s works on UQ eSpace

191 works between 1994 and 2025
All (191) Journal Article (144) Book Chapter (20) Conference Publication (11) Book (4) Other Outputs (12)

101 - 120 of 191 works

2013

Other Outputs

"Hello, baby. Check me out": Animals speak but don't say much

Suddendorf, Thomas (2013, 11 10). "Hello, baby. Check me out": Animals speak but don't say much Salon

"Hello, baby. Check me out": Animals speak but don't say much

2013

Other Outputs

Where are humans' closest relatives

Suddendorf, Thomas (2013, 10 21). Where are humans' closest relatives The Chronicle of Higher Education

Where are humans' closest relatives

2013

Journal Article

Different neural processes accompany self-recognition in photographs across the lifespan: an ERP study using dizygotic twins

Butler, David L., Mattingley, Jason B., Cunnington, Ross and Suddendorf, Thomas (2013). Different neural processes accompany self-recognition in photographs across the lifespan: an ERP study using dizygotic twins. PLoS ONE, 8 (9) e72586, e72586.1-e72586.9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072586

Different neural processes accompany self-recognition in photographs across the lifespan: an ERP study using dizygotic twins

2013

Journal Article

Foresight beyond the very next event: four-year-olds can link past and deferred future episodes

Redshaw, Jonathan and Suddendorf, Thomas (2013). Foresight beyond the very next event: four-year-olds can link past and deferred future episodes. Frontiers in Psychology, 4 (404) Article 404, 1-6. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00404

Foresight beyond the very next event: four-year-olds can link past and deferred future episodes

2013

Journal Article

Mental time travel: continuities and discontinuities

Suddendorf, Thomas (2013). Mental time travel: continuities and discontinuities. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17 (4), 151-152. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2013.01.011

Mental time travel: continuities and discontinuities

2013

Journal Article

The nature of visual self-recognition

Suddendorf, Thomas and Butler, David L. (2013). The nature of visual self-recognition. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17 (3), 121-127. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2013.01.004

The nature of visual self-recognition

2013

Journal Article

Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus and Pongo abelii) understand connectivity in the skewered grape tool task

Mulcahy, Nicholas J., Schubiger, Michele N. and Suddendorf, T. (2013). Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus and Pongo abelii) understand connectivity in the skewered grape tool task. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 127 (1), 109-113. doi: 10.1037/a0028621

Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus and Pongo abelii) understand connectivity in the skewered grape tool task

2013

Journal Article

Is newborn imitation developmentally homologous to later social-cognitive skills?

Suddendorf, Thomas, Oostenbroek, Janine, Nielsen, Mark and Slaughter, Virginia (2013). Is newborn imitation developmentally homologous to later social-cognitive skills?. Developmental Psychobiology, 55 (1), 52-58. doi: 10.1002/dev.21005

Is newborn imitation developmentally homologous to later social-cognitive skills?

2013

Journal Article

The development of mental scenario building and episodic foresight

Suddendorf, Thomas and Redshaw, Jonathan (2013). The development of mental scenario building and episodic foresight. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1296 (1), 135-153. doi: 10.1111/nyas.12189

The development of mental scenario building and episodic foresight

2013

Book Chapter

On the evolution of imagination and design

Suddendorf, Thomas and Dong, Andy (2013). On the evolution of imagination and design. Oxford handbook on the development of imagination. (pp. 453-467) edited by Marjorie Taylor. New York, NY, United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195395761.013.0029

On the evolution of imagination and design

2013

Journal Article

Why the confusion around neonatal imitation? A review

Oostenbroek, Janine, Slaughter, Virginia, Nielsen, Mark and Suddendorf, Thomas (2013). Why the confusion around neonatal imitation? A review. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 31 (4), 328-341. doi: 10.1080/02646838.2013.832180

Why the confusion around neonatal imitation? A review

2013

Book

The gap: the science of what separates us from other animals

Suddendorf, Thomas (2013). The gap: the science of what separates us from other animals. New York, NY, United States: Basic Books.

The gap: the science of what separates us from other animals

2013

Conference Publication

Is the human mirror system operational at birth?

Slaughter, Virginia, Oostenbroek, Janine, Suddendorf, Thomas and Nielsen, Mark (2013). Is the human mirror system operational at birth?. ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 28 Nov - 1 Dec, 2013. Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers Research Foundation. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2013.212.00043

Is the human mirror system operational at birth?

2012

Journal Article

Inferential reasoning by exclusion in children (Homo Sapiens)

Hill, Andrew, Collier-Baker, Emma and Suddendorf, Thomas (2012). Inferential reasoning by exclusion in children (Homo Sapiens). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 126 (3), 243-254. doi: 10.1037/a0024449

Inferential reasoning by exclusion in children (Homo Sapiens)

2012

Journal Article

If I could talk to the animals

Suddendorf, Thomas, Borello, Mark E., Allen, Colin and Radick, Gregory (2012). If I could talk to the animals. Metascience: An International Review Journal for the History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science, 21 (2), 253-267. doi: 10.1007/s11016-011-9553-1

If I could talk to the animals

2012

Journal Article

"Inferential reasoning by exclusion in great apes, lesser apes, and spider monkeys": Correction to Hill, Collier-Baker, and Suddendorf (2011)

Hill, Andrew, Collier-Baker, Emma and Suddendorf, Thomas (2012). "Inferential reasoning by exclusion in great apes, lesser apes, and spider monkeys": Correction to Hill, Collier-Baker, and Suddendorf (2011). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 126 (2), 138-138. doi: 10.1037/a0027590

"Inferential reasoning by exclusion in great apes, lesser apes, and spider monkeys": Correction to Hill, Collier-Baker, and Suddendorf (2011)

2012

Journal Article

Mirror, mirror on the wall, how does my brain recognize my image at all?

Butler, David L., Mattingley, Jason B., Cunnington, Ross and Suddendorf, Thomas (2012). Mirror, mirror on the wall, how does my brain recognize my image at all?. PLoS One, 7 (2) e31452, e31452.1-e31452.7. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031452

Mirror, mirror on the wall, how does my brain recognize my image at all?

2012

Book Chapter

The Rise of the Metamind

Suddendorf, Thomas (2012). The Rise of the Metamind. The Descent of Mind: Psychological Perspectives on Hominid Evolution. (pp. 218-260) edited by Michael Corballis and Stephen E. G. Lea. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780192632593.003.0012

The Rise of the Metamind

2011

Journal Article

Introduction to the special issue: The development of episodic foresight

Suddendorf, Thomas and Moore, Chris (2011). Introduction to the special issue: The development of episodic foresight. Cognitive Development, 26 (4), 295-298. doi: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2011.09.001

Introduction to the special issue: The development of episodic foresight

2011

Journal Article

Production of temporal terms by 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children

Grant, Janie Busby and Suddendorf, Thomas (2011). Production of temporal terms by 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 26 (1), 87-95. doi: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2010.05.002

Production of temporal terms by 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Mapping children's foresight capacities
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Gaining control of the future: The cognitive development of foresight
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Episodic foresight and ageing
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Enhancing Realism in Psychological Research.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    Charting the prevalence, time course and social-cognitive correlates of neonatal imitation.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Thinking about the future: The nature and development of mental time travel
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Evolution of Mind: The representational capacities of gibbons (H. syndactylus) and the common ancestor of humans and apes.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant = Refurbishment and equipment for Early Cognitive Development Unit and Video equipment for cognitive testing of children, adolescents and adults
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    The nature of self-recognition: novel approaches to vexing questions
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 1999
    The development of concepts of self and time - investigations with digitized feedback
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Thomas Suddendorf is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the understanding of probability and plausible deniability in young children and primates

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Recognising the future utility of a solution: A foresight perspective on the development of innovation in children

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Innovation: When do children recognise future utility?

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Gaining control of the future: The Cognitive Development of Foresight

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Gaining control of the future: The Cognitive Development of Foresight

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the understanding of possibility and probability in young children and primates

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mechanisms and functions of reasoning about possibilities

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Julie Henry, Dr Jonathan Redshaw

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Impact of Intergroup Violence on the Evolution of Human Psychology

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Brendan Zietsch

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Thomas Suddendorf directly for media enquiries about:

  • Brain and cognition
  • Brain development
  • Brain evolution
  • Children and cognition
  • Cognition
  • Cognition - developmental perspectives
  • Development and cognition
  • Evolution and brain cognition
  • Human development and cognition
  • Psychology - cognition

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