Dr Nigel McConnell

Nigel McConnell is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, a Lecturer and member of the Fire Safety Engineering Research Technology (FireSERT) research group at the University of Ulster, working in the area of human behaviour and fire.  

His PhD focused on the Neurobehavioural (e.g. cognition and post-fire trauma) effects of exposure to fire toxins such as carbon monoxide and the Psychological impact of being involved in an accidental dwelling fire.

Nigel has published work in relation to the pre-movement times and factors influencing behaviour of occupants in 9/11 World Trade centre attacks.  His work on the 9/11 World Trade centre attacks also included researching the behaviours and evacuation experiences of evacuees with self-designated mobility impairments.  

His research has focuses on people with mobility impairments in relation to knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in the evacuation of multi-storey buildings.  

Nigel has been guest a speaker at international conferences, reviewer for research funding and guest reviewer for reputable international journals in the area of human behaviour in fire.

He has had long term collaboration with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and is a member of a human factors in emergency research group organized by the Italian National Fire Corps.

Nigel is also an advisor to charities in relation to research strategies and statistical analyses.