Dr James Cole
Interim Dean of the School of Applied Sciences
James Cole is interim Dean for the School of Applied Sciences, and previously served as its Associate Dean for Education and Student Experience. He joined the university’s teaching team for Geography with Archaeology in 2013, following appointments at the University of Oxford and Bournemouth University. James was part of the leadership team of the School of Environment and Technology as Subject Lead for Geography and Environment when the new School of Applied Sciences was formed in 2020. Within Applied Sciences, James was the Learning and Teaching Lead where he has led on initiatives transforming the Student Voice and Assessment and Feedback.
James' research interests focus on understanding the fundamental question of what it means to be human. James is interested in knowing whether certain abilities that we all take for granted such as language, symbolism, and abstract thought are unique to our species (Homo sapiens) or were present in other ancient humans (hominins) such as the Neanderthals. In order to ascertain this James studies a range of evidence strands with a primary focus on the stone tools left behind by our ancestors for clues to their mental capabilities. James is also interested in what cognitive, behavioural and social thresholds were needed by hominins in order to allow them to successfully disperse across the globe and overcome any environmental constraints. Finally, James is fascinated by how ancient hominins treated their dead, particularly how and why some of them seem to have practiced cannibalism.
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Contact: j.n.cole@brighton.ac.uk
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