How can spatial skills improve mathematics learning?

Difficulties in learning mathematics emerge early in education and are robust over time. The number of students not reaching basic levels of mathematics achievement remains a major societal challenge, at a time when societies are increasingly demanding mathematics skills due to scientific and industrial progress. So how can research effectively contribute to this? Spatial skills have been identified as a promising contributor to mathematics learning. Training spatial skills can lead to improvements in mathematics outcomes. However, how and why this happens is not understood. Research focuses on training outcomes rather than on the process, which limits our broader understanding of underlying mechanisms. This knowledge is essential for future research into efficient interventions to improve mathematics and to make spatial training programs more effective for all students. The aim of this project is to design a large-scale comprehensive behavioural training study in children in preschool and early primary school. By tracking progress during the training, the goal would be to unpack the causal associations between spatial skills and mathematics further. This includes finding out whether a variety of spatial training paradigms result in the same progress, whether progress works equally for all students, whether there are specific sensitive periods for training, and whether improved outcomes after training last in time. This project provides the opportunity to make an impact by forming bridges between research and education. During the PhD, you will be part of the Centre for Mathematical Cognition, one of the world's leading research centres in mathematics education. Moreover, you will be part of an international collaboration with the potential to organise research visits abroad if you wish to do so. I would encourage exploring funding options such as through an application to the Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership. 94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021

The standard University IELTS English language requirement is 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each individual element (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

International students: £23,100

UK students: £5,238

UK/Home: £5,238

International: £23,100

July 2026, October 2026, February 2027, July 2027

1 April 2027

• Loughborough, United Kingdom