Josh Davis

Professor Josh P Davis BSc, MSc, PhD, PGCertHE, FHEA, AFBPsS, CPsychol

Professor in Applied Psychology

Professor Josh P Davis is a Chartered Psychologist, and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. He has worked at the University of Greenwich since 2008, since 2020 as a Professor in Applied Psychology. His PhD was on the "Forensic Identification of Unfamiliar Faces in CCTV Images" (2007) and he has since published over 30 articles on human face recognition and eyewitness identification, the reliability of facial composite systems (e.g., E-FIT, EFIT-V), methods used by expert witnesses to provide evidence of identification in court ('facial comparison evidence'), and juror decision making in crimes involving sexual assault and rape.

He is also an elected Committee Member of the British Psychological Society: Cognitive Section, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a member of the Experimental Psychology Society and the European Association of Psychology and Law. Since April 2011, his research has mainly focussed on so called 'super-recognisers' with exceptional face recognition abilities. This led to changes in the management and distribution of CCTV images by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) – substantially enhancing suspect identification rates. In May 2014, he received European Commission funding as part of the €8,406,523 LASIE (2014), with the primary aim of developing a test of superior face recognition. He has also advised other international police forces and Government agencies (e.g., Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore), consulted with business (e.g., Super-Recognisers International, Yoti), and presented his research worldwide (e.g., Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Russia, USA).

He is regularly interviewed by the international media, appearing in over 100 TV and radio shows, and his first co-edited book "Forensic Facial Identification: Theory and Practice of Identification from Eyewitnesses, Composites and CCTV" (Wiley Blackwell) was published in 2015. In 2019 a collaboration with VisionMetric to examine human and computer face processing was awarded £300,000 by Innovate UK. For his work he has recently been awarded University of Greenwich: Outstanding Achievement in Enterprise Award Winner (November 2019); and Students' Union: University of Greenwich Student-Led Teaching Awards: Supervisor of the Year (May 2018).

In 2021, Josh initiated the Face and Voice Recognition Lab as part of the Institute of Lifecourse Development with the aim of marketing activities in order to generate more international research, enterprise, and consultancy opportunities.

Posts held previously:

  • 2016-2020, Reader in Applied Psychology, School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich
  • 2008-16, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich
  • 2006-08, Postdoctoral Research Officer, Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London (funded by Nuffield Foundation)
  • 2005-06, Postdoctoral Research Officer, Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London (funded by ESPRC)
  • 2001-08, Visiting Tutor (p/t), Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London
  • 1999-2004, Visiting Lecturer (p/t), Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London
  • 1999-2000, President, Students' Union, Royal Holloway, University of London (elected sabbatical position)

Forensic science Psychology

Allied health professions, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy

Responsibilities within the university
  • Lead: Face and Voice Recognition Lab, Institute of Lifecourse Development
  • Programme Leader: MSc Psychology (Conversion)
  • Ambassador: Faculty of Education, Health and Human Sciences, Early Career Researchers (ECR)
  • Grants Lead: School of Human Sciences - Research Executive
  • Module Leader: PSYC1072: Criminal Investigative Psychology (Level 7)
  • Module Leader: PSYH1035: Investigative Forensic Psychology (Level 6)
  • PhD Supervision (current)
    • Dinmohamed, S. (2020-2023). The Impact of Memory in Alzheimer’s disease and ability to recognise familiar faces using eye-tracking. (supervisors: Patchay, S., Davis, J. P., Bernardi, M-L.).
    • Jenkins, R. (2018-2021). The developmental trajectory of individual differences in voice and face recognition. University of Greenwich: Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Award (supervisors: Davis, J. P., Monks, C. & Tsementelli, S.).
    • Halascova, F. (2017-2022). Investigating stigma towards former and current female sex workers. Self-funded (supervisors: Davis, J. P., Stahl, S., & Smith, R.).
    • Chandler, V. (2014-2017). Women and drinking at home. University of Greenwich: Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Award (supervisors: Foster, J., Cleaver, K., & Davis, J. P.).

Recognition
  • 2020-2023 Elected Committee Member: British Psychological Society: Cognitive Section
  • 2020-2023 Chief External examiner: BSc Forensic Psychology. University of Coventry
  • 2018-2021: External Examiner: MSc Psychology (Conversion), MSc in Psychology. University of Reading
  • 2017-2020: External examiner: BSc Forensic Psychology. University of Chester,
  • PhD Examiner: Goldsmiths, University of London (2017), Liverpool Hope University (2018), Nottingham Trent University (2018), University of Kent (2020), University of Central Lancashire (2020), University of Kent (2021)
  • European Commission: Secure Societies: Pool of expert evaluators (2019)
  • Reviewer: ESRC

Research / Scholarly interests
  • Legal psychology
  • Eyewitness identification
  • Individual differences in face recognition
  • Face recognition and face emotion recognition
  • Body worn cameras
  • Virtual reality
  • Super-recognisers
  • Facial composites
  • Jury decision making in rape, domestic violence, and sexual assault cases
  • Hate crimes

Key funded projects

    2022, Pforzheim Police, Germany, Face recognition testing.
    2022, Freiburg Police, Germany, Face recognition testing.
    2022, Singapore Police Force, Face recognition testing.
    2022, Hochschule für Polizei Baden-Württemberg (Year 2), Germany, Face recognition testing.
    2021, Ravensburg Police, Germany, Face recognition testing.
    2021, Aalen Police, Germany, Face recognition testing.
    2021, Karlsruhe Police, Germany, Face recognition testing.
    2021, French Business (redacted),  Face recognition testing.
    2021, Ulm Police, Germany. Face recognition testing.
    2021, Mannheim Police, Germany. Face recognition testing.
    2021, British Psychological Society: Undergraduate Research Assistantship Scheme
    2021. Do super-recognisers of faces possess superior face-name association learning and recall? (with: Read, K.)
    2021, Offenburg Police, Germany. Face recognition testing.
    2021, Chemnitz Police, Germany. Face recognition testing.
    2021, Research Capital Investment Fund
    2020/21, University of Greenwich. Virtual reality simulation: police-community research and training. (with: Jamieson, J., Goss-Sampson, M.)
    2021, UK Business (redacted), Super-recogniser job creation.
    2015-2021, Yoti, UK and India. Face recognition testing and training.
    2021, Hochschule für Polizei Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Face recognition testing.
    2017-2021, Super-Recognisers International. Face recognition testing and training.
    2021, Western European Government Agency (redacted). Face recognition testing.
    2021, Konstanz Police, Germany. Face recognition testing.
    2020-2022, Bundespolizei, Germany. Face recognition testing.
    2020-2022, Frankfurt Police, Germany. Face recognition testing.
    2019-2021, Innovate UK., Deep learning strategies for accurate identification from facial composite images (E2ID). (with: Solomon, C., Gibson, S.)
    2018-2021, Stuttgart Police, Germany. Face recognition testing.
    2018-2019, Queensland Police Service, Australia. Face recognition testing.
    2019, International Research Collaboration Bid (2019). University of Greenwich. Research visit to University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
    2019, Seequestor Ltd. Video analytics project.
    2019, University of Greenwich: Research Informed Teaching Support Scheme. Research assistant.
    2018, International Retail Organisation (redacted). Face recognition testing and training.
    2018, Western European Government Agency (redacted). Face recognition testing.
    2018, Munich Police, Germany. Face recognition testing.
    2017, University of Greenwich: Vice Chancellor’s Studentship PhD Award. The developmental trajectory of individual differences in voice and face recognition ability.
    2016-2017, Singapore Government Agency. Face recognition testing.
    2016-2017, Greater Manchester Police. Face recognition testing.
    2016, University of Greenwich: Research Excellence Framework Funds
    2016/17. Family relationships in ‘super’ face recognition ability, shyness and personality.
    2015-2016, Essex Police. Face recognition testing.
    2015, Hertfordshire Constabulary. Face recognition testing.
    2014, Greater Manchester Police. Operation Resolve, Hillsborough Disaster Investigation.
    2014-2017, European Commission 7th Framework Programme. SEC-2013.1.6-1: 607480. LArge scale information exploitation of forensic data (LASIE).

Recent publications

Article

Smith, Harriet , Roeser, Jens, Pautz, Nikolas, Davis, Josh P. , Robson, Jeremy , Wright, David , Braber, Natalie , Stacy, Paula (2022), Evaluating earwitness identification procedures: adapting pre-parade instructions and parade procedure. Taylor & Francis - Routledge. In: , , , . Taylor & Francis - Routledge, Memory, 31 (1) . pp. 147-161 ISSN: 0965-8211 (Print), 1464-0686 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2022.2129065).

Foster, John , Davis, Josh P., Martin, Colin, University of Suffolk (2021), Alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 lockdown period: predictors of at-risk drinking at different AUDIT-C cut-off thresholds. MDPI. In: , , , . MDPI, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18: 13042 (24) 1660-4601 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413042).

Davis, Josh P. , Dray, Callan, Petrov, Nikolay, Belanova, Elena (2021), Low prevalence match and mismatch detection in simultaneous face matching: Influence of face recognition ability and feature focus guidance. Springer. In: , , , . Springer, Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, 83 (7) . pp. 2937-2954 ISSN: 1943-3921 (Print), 1943-393X (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-021-02348-4).

Belanova, Elena , Davis, Josh P., Thompson, Trevor (2021), The part-whole effect in super-recognisers and typical-range-ability controls. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Vision Research, 187 . pp. 75-84 ISSN: 0042-6989 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2021.06.004).

Jenkins, Ryan , Davis, Josh P., Monks, Claire, Tsermentseli, Davis (2021), Individual differences in face and voice recognition. The British Psychological Society. In: , , , . The British Psychological Society, The Cognitive Psychology Bulletin (6) ISSN: 2397-2653 (Print), (doi: ).

Noyes, Eilidh , Davis, Josh P., Petrov, Nikolay, Gray, Katie , Ritchie, Kay (2021), The effect of face masks and sunglasses on identity and expression recognition with super-recognizers and typical observers. The Royal Society - Royal Society of Chemistry. In: , , , . The Royal Society - Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society Open Science, 8: 201169 (3) 2054-5703 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.201169).

Smith, Hariett M. J. , Andrews, Sally, Baguley, Thom S., Colloff, Melissa F. , Davis, Josh P. , White, David , Flowe, Heather D. (2021), Performance of typical and superior face recognisers on a novel interactive face matching procedure. Wiley. In: , , , . Wiley, British Journal of Psychology, 112 (4) . pp. 964-991 ISSN: 0007-1269 (Print), 2044-8295 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12499).

Jenkins, Ryan , Robertson, David, Davis, Josh P. (2021), Super-recognisers: some people excel at both face and voice recognition. The Conversation Trust. In: , , , . The Conversation Trust, The Conversation: 156817 ISSN: 2201-5639 (Print), (doi: https://theconversation.com/super-recognisers-some-people-excel-at-both-face-and-voice-recognition-156817).

Jenkins, Ryan , Tsermentseli, Stella, Monks, Claire, Robertson, David , Stevenage, Sarah , Symons, Ashleigh , Davis, Josh P. (2021), Are super-face-recognisers also super-voice-recognisers? Evidence from cross-modal identification tasks. Wiley. In: , , , . Wiley, Applied Cognitive Psychology, 35 (3) . pp. 590-605 ISSN: 0888-4080 (Print), 1099-0720 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3813).

Dunn, James D. , Summersby, Stephanie, Towler, Alice, Davis, Josh P. , White, David (2020), UNSW face test: a screening tool for super-recognizers. Public Library of Science. In: , , , . Public Library of Science, PLoS ONE, 15: e0241747 (11) 1932-6203 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241747).

Correll, Joshua , Ma, Debbie, Davis, Josh P. (2020), Perceptual tuning through contact? Contact interacts with perceptual (not memory-based) face-processing ability to predict cross-race recognition. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 92: 104058 ISSN: 0022-1031 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2020.104058).

Mcintosh, Shona and , Davis, Josh P. (2020), The ‘casting couch’ scenario: Impact of perceived employment benefit, reporting delay, complainant gender, and participant gender on juror decision-making in rape cases. SAGE Publications. In: , , , . SAGE Publications, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37 (9-10) . pp. NP6676-NP6696 ISSN: 0886-2605 (Print), 1552-6518 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520966679).

Davis, Josh P. , Bretfelean, L-Diandra, Belanova, Elena, Thompson, Davis (2020), Super-recognisers: face recognition performance after variable delay intervals. Wiley. In: , , , . Wiley, Applied Cognitive Psychology, 34 (6) . pp. 1350-1368 ISSN: 0888-4080 (Print), 1099-0720 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3712).

Davis, Josh and , Robertson, David (2020), Capitalizing on the super-recognition advantage: a powerful, but underutilized, tool for policing and national security agencies. U.S. Department of Defense’s Information Analysis Center. In: , , , . U.S. Department of Defense’s Information Analysis Center, Journal of the Homeland Defense & Security Information Analysis Centre, 7 (1) . pp. 20-25 (doi: https://www.hdiac.org/journal-article/capitalizing-on-the-super-recognition-advantage-a-powerful-but-underutilized-tool-for-policing-and-national-security-agencies/).

Robertson, David , Davis, Josh P., Megreya, Ahmed, Davis, Davis (2020), Facial recognition: research reveals new abilities of ‘super-recognisers’. In: , , , . , The Conversation (doi: https://theconversation.com/facial-recognition-research-reveals-new-abilities-of-super-recognisers-128414).

Robertson, David J. , Black, Jennifer, Chamberlain, Bethany, Megreya, Ahmed , Davis, Josh P. (2019), Super-recognisers show an advantage for other race face identification. Wiley. In: , , , . Wiley, Applied Cognitive Psychology, 34 (1) . pp. 205-216 ISSN: 0888-4080 (Print), 1099-0720 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3608).

Davis, Josh P. , Maigut, Andreea, Forrest, Charlotte (2019), The wisdom of the crowd: a case of post- to ante-mortem face matching by police super-recognisers. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Forensic Science International, 302: 109910 ISSN: 0379-0738 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.109910).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2019), The worldwide impact of identifying super-recognisers in police and business. The British Psychological Society. In: , , , . The British Psychological Society, The Cognitive Psychology Bulletin, 4 . pp. 17-22 ISSN: 2397-2653 (Print), (doi: ).

Satchall, Liam Paul , Davis, Josh P., Julle-Danière, Eglantine, Tupper, Nina , Marshman, Paul (2019), Recognising faces but not traits: Accurate personality judgment from faces is unrelated to superior face memory. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Journal of Research in Personality, 79 . pp. 49-58 ISSN: 0092-6566 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2019.02.002).

Belanova, Elena , Davis, Josh P., Thompson, Trevor (2018), Cognitive and neural markers of super-recognisers’ face processing superiority and enhanced cross-age effect. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Cortex, 108 . pp. 92-111 ISSN: 0010-9452 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2018.07.008).

Osborn, Kirsty , Davis, Josh, Button, Susan, Foster, John (2018), Juror decision making in acquaintance and marital rape: The influence of clothing, alcohol and pre-existing stereotypical attitudes. SAGE Publications. In: , , , . SAGE Publications, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36 (5-6) . pp. NP2675-NP2696 ISSN: 0886-2605 (Print), 1552-6518 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518768566).

Davis, Josh P. , Forrest, Charlotte, Treml, Felicia, Jansari, Ashok (2018), Identification from CCTV: Assessing police super-recogniser ability to spot faces in a crowd and susceptibility to change blindness. Wiley. In: , , , . Wiley, Applied Cognitive Psychology, 32 (3) . pp. 337-353 ISSN: 0888-4080 (Print), 1099-0720 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3405).

Davis, Josh P. , Lander, Karen, Evans, Ray, Jansari, Ashok (2016), Investigating predictors of superior face recognition ability in police super-recognisers. John Wiley and Sons. In: , , , . John Wiley and Sons, Applied Cognitive Psychology, 30 (6) . pp. 827-840 ISSN: 0888-4080 (Print), 1099-0720 (Online) (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/acp.3260) NB Item availability restricted.

Davis, Josh P , Thorniley, Sarah, Gibson, Stuart, Solomon, Chris (2016), Holistic facial composite construction and subsequent lineup identification accuracy: Comparing adults and children. Taylor & Francis. In: , , , . Taylor & Francis, Journal of Psychology, 150 (1) . pp. 102-118 ISSN: 0022-3980 (Print), 1940-1019 (Online) (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2015.1009867).

Book section

Davis, Josh P and , (2020), CCTV and the super-recognisers. Routledge. In: , , In: Clifford Stott, Ben Bradford, Matthew Radburn, Leanne Savigar-Shaw (eds.), Making an Impact on Policing and Crime: Psychological Research, Policy and Practice. Routledge, London, UK (1st) . ISBN: 9780815353577 (doi: ) NB Item availability restricted.

Davis, Josh P. , Gibson, Stuart J., Solomon, Christopher J. (2017), Holistic facial composite systems: Implementation and evaluation. Nova Science Publishers. In: , , , Face Processing: Systems, Disorders and Cultural Differences. Nova Science Publishers, . pp. 41-54 . ISBN: 9781536123986 (doi: https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=62896) NB Item availability restricted.

Conference item

Davis, Josh P. and , (2019), Super-recognisers: Superior ability at face recognition and spotting faces in a crowd. In: Football Stadium Officials Association Conference, 9 October 2019, Stratford-upon-Avon , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2019), Super-recognisers with exceptional face memory: Research and applied implications. In: Workshop at the University of Cape Town, 16 July 2019, Cape Town, South Africa , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2019), Superior face recognisers: Enhancing police and security activities worldwide. In: Developments in facial identification from eyewitness testimony. Visionmetric., 30 May 2019, Stanton House Hotel, Swindon, Wiltshire , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2019), Super recognizers: Humans with extraordinary face recognition ability. In: World Game Protection Conference (WGPC), 3-6 March 2019, Las Vagas, USA , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2019), The impact on crime detection of super-recognisers in the police. In: Workshop at Police Headquarters, Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore, 11 February 2019, Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2019), The worldwide search for super-recognisers in the police, security and the general public. In: Unfamiliar Facial Identification Group Conference, 7-8 February, 2019, Sydney, Australia , . , (doi: http://forensic.psy.unsw.edu.au/ufig.html).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2019), The science behind the University of Greenwich super-recognition tests for policing and security. In: Les Super Physionomistes et Leur Employ dans la Police: Conference Internationale, 17 January 2019, Ministѐre de L’Intѐrieur, Lognes, Paris, France , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2018), The deployment of super-recognisers in policing and identity verification. In: The Chartered Society of Forensic Scientists Annual Conference, 2 November 2018, Northampton , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. , Treml, Felicia, Forrest, Charlotte, Jansari, Ashok (2018), Evaluating police super-recogniser’s ability to spot persons of interest in videoed crowds. In: British Psychological Society: Cognitive Section Annual Conference, 30 August 2019, Liverpool Hope University , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2018), The deployment of super-face recognisers in policing, security, and identity verification. In: Workshop at SRH Hochschule Heidelberg, 30 April 2018, SRH Hochschule Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2018), The deployment of super-face-recognisers in policing, security and identity verification. In: Qualtrics X4, 11 April 2018, London , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2018), Superior human face processors: Making best use of computer-generated identity information. In: UK Government Biometrics Working Group, 14 March 2018, Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy, London , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2017), Searching for super-recognisers in the police and the general public. In: 8th International Conference on Imaging for Crime Detection and Prevention (ICDP-2017), 16-17 December 2017, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2017), Super-face-recognisers for policing and security. In: ASIS International, 8 December 2017, Westminster Cathedral, London , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2017), The deployment of police super-recognisers. In: Workshop at Netherlands Forensic Institute, 16 November 2017, Den Haag, Netherlands , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2017), Super-face processors: Consistently exceptional at a range of face recognition and matching tasks?. In: Face Recognition at its Best Workshop, 19 October 2017, University of Notre Dame (USA), London , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2017), CCTV and recognition evidence by super-recogniser witnesses. In: Trading Standards Investigation Seminar, 5 October 2017, Exeter Racecourse, Exeter, Devon , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2017), CCTV and recognition evidence by super-recogniser witnesses. In: ID Law, 6 April 2017, Strand Palace Hotel, London , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2017), Super-recognisers: Excellent at face recognition – excellent at crime fighting. In: Public event at the City of London Police Museum, 16 March 2017, City of London Police Museum, Guildhall , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2017), Identification from CCTV and super-recognisers. In: Staff Training Institute (Civil Service College), 13 February 2017, Kent Ridge, Singapore , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2016), Enhancing suspect identifications by testing the face recognition ability of law enforcement and security officers. In: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Conference, 22 November 2016, National Crime Agency, London , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2016), The operational use of super-recognisers in policing and security. In: Advances in Security in the Digital Age: Global MSC Security Conference, 15 November 2016, Bristol , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2016), New ways of harnessing images for law enforcement and national security. In: The Chartered Society of Forensic Scientists Annual Conference, 21 October 2016, Oxford , . , (doi: ).

Davis, Josh P. and , (2016), Facial composites: A successful collaboration between technology and psychology. In: SIBGRAPI 2016: Workshop on Face Processing Applications: Biometrics and Beyond, 6 October 2016, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil , . , (doi: ).

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