IAB Hires Psychologist for Mobile User Understanding

In the UK, trade body the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) has brought in University of East Anglia (UEA) Psychology Lecturer Dr Simon Hampton, to provide the organisation with a deeper understanding of the latest theories about digital technology and its effect on user behaviour.

Hampton (pictured), who is an undergraduate of the LSE and a PhD student at Durham University, teaches a number of modules at the UEA including research methods, social psychology, biological psychology, and evolutionary psychology.

The IAB has invited him to become its Resident Psychologist, after he spoke at the Mobile Engage conference earlier this year (www.iabuk.net/video/mobile-engage-2014-dr-simon-hampton ), and presented what IAB Director of Mobile and Operations Jon Mew describes as 'an unconventional point of view on digital' which Mew says many brands would be interested to hear about.

Hampton will spend the next three months educating the IAB on areas such as what behavioural economics tells us about persuasion; how smartphone users see their phone as a personal diary; and why advertisements on mobiles are not new.

Hampton comments: 'The opportunity to work with the IAB was one that I couldn't refuse. They are serious about seeing sound and up-to-date psychological theory and research put into practice. I also admire the quality of their own research and how they cross reference it with bodies of knowledge beyond 'the trade'. I anticipate a rich and rewarding collaboration.'

Web site: www.iabuk.net .