Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Biography
I am a researcher with interests in biological psychology, behavioral ecology, philosophy of mind, and research methods. I have published and consulted in areas pertaining to human sexual behavior and review for Journal of Sexual Medicine, Archives of Sexual Behavior, Evolutionary Behavioral Science and Journal of Evolutionary Psychology. I completed my PhD with Jay Belsky, studying fertility-related aspects of female sexual response--work which has resulted in a book called 'Naturally Selective, Evolution, Orgasm, and Female Choice' (by Taylor & Francis).
I have an Erdos number of five.
Research Interests
My research focuses on using a biological framework to investigate human behavior. Examples research interests include: Examining the UK riots, spree killing, and bare knuckle fighting traditions, using behavioral ecology/life history theory, investigating fertility-related aspects of human female sexual response, and investigating aspects of human dating preferences from a biological standpoint. I I have integrated anthropological/ archaeological research into my profile with publications on what ice age art and myths can inform us about sexual behavior.
Teaching Activities
At Cork teach in the areas of social psychology, cognitive psychology and bio psychology as well as research methods. I supervise students in areas pertaining to biological psychology and forensic psychology. I have co-ordinated the Conceptual and Historical Issues module (previously the philosophy of science and philosophy of psychology modules) since 2013 and. I am co-director of the Masters in Applied Psychology program and teach extensively on that course. Previously, I have had teaching responsibilities in areas of research methods and statistical modelling, historical perspectives on psychology, clinical issues, philosophy of mind, and evolutionary biology. I have coordinated modules on evolutionary psychology for both undergraduate and post graduate levels.
Research Grants
|
1 |
2011 |
The Gambling and Life History Project
|
The Maurice and Jacqueline Bennett Charitable Trust, London, UK and The Forensic Psychiatry Research Unit (Now Violence Prevention Research Unit) |
£2,000,000 |
Collaborator |
Awarded |
University of East London |
|
2 |
2012 |
Human interactions in energy optimisation systems |
European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) |
€220,000
|
Co PI with Nimbus Technologies |
Not Successful |
UCC and CIT |
|
3 |
2013 |
GAME4CON |
Commercial Feasibility Grants |
€15,000 |
Co PI with Nimbus Technologies |
Not Successful |
UCC and CIT |
|
4 |
2013 |
Human factors and road safety in Cork |
Road Safety Authority (RSA) |
€5,500 |
Co PI |
Not Successful |
UCC Applied Psychology & Civil Engineering |
|
5 |
2015 |
Mating intelligence |
Irish Research Council |
€96, 000 |
PI |
Awarded |
UCC |
|
6 |
2015 |
REALM: Research and Evaluation in Addiction Life History and Mental Health |
Irish Research Council |
€216,750. 00 |
Co PI
|
Not Successful |
UCC
|
|
7 |
2016 |
Understanding Fertility: A pilot project |
SoAP: Seed funding - competitive |
€2000 |
Co PI |
Awarded |
UCC |
|
8 |
2018 |
Understanding Fertility—phase 2 |
SoAP: Seed funding – competitive |
€3289.15 |
Co PI |
Awarded |
UCC |
|
9 |
2019 |
Irish transsexual experience of accessing healthcare |
Irish Research Council |
€96, 000 |
PI |
Awarded |
UCC |
|
10 |
2021 |
'Establishing Precedent?': Peer assessment in inter-disciplinary collaboration between Schools of Law and Applied Psychology
|
Learning, Teaching & Assessment Enhancement Funding, CIRTL |
€1656.35 |
Co PI
|
Awarded |
UCC Applied Psychology & Law |
|
11 |
2023 |
An Evolutionarily Informed Analysis of Mass Murder Manifestoes: A Focused Pluralistic Examination of right-wing, incel inspired and school shooter manifestoes and online activity |
Irish Research Council |
€31,000
|
Co PI |
Not Successful |
UCC |
|
12 |
2024 |
Fertility and female orgasm |
Enterprise Ireland – seed funding |
€16,000 |
PI |
Awarded |
UCC |
|
13 |
2024 |
FLORA: Fertility and female orgasm |
European Research Council |
€2,499, 928 |
PI |
Not Successful |
UCC |
|
14 |
2025 |
Narratives of Violence: Examining Mass Murder Manifestos, Suicide Notes, and Other Legacy Tokens Using Pluralistic Analysis |
Irish Research Council |
€34,000 |
PI |
Not Successful |
UCC |
|
15 |
2025 |
Wearable fertility increasing technology |
Explorer Programme |
€500,000 |
PI |
Not Successful |
UCC |
|
16 |
2026 |
FLORA: Fertility and female orgasm |
European Research Council |
|
PI |
In progress |
UCC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total awarded in €214,945 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total awarded in £2,000,000 |
|
|
|
Recent PhD Students
Current: Siobhan Thomas: Access to healthcare for trans patients in Ireland (IRC funded project)
Keith Minihane: Spree Killer types and manifestoes--insights into killers
Previous:
Eliana Monteiro: Mating Intelligence
Scotty McQueen: Performing Psychic-- magic and cognitive psychology
Biography
Psychology Today Blog--where I share non-technical aspects of my work
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/hive-mind
External positions
Research Associate, The London School of Economics and Political Science
1 Sept 2009 → …
UCC Futures (primary)
- Collective Social Futures
PhD Supervision
- Available for PhD supervision
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Do Try This AT Home: Wearable Tech To Monitor Fertility Responses
King, R., Dempsey, M., Morrissey, K. & Dockray, S., 24 Apr 2026.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
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Female Orgasm. In Shackleford, T. & Vance. G. (eds)
King, R., 2026, (Submitted) The Springer Nature Encyclopedia of Sexual Psychology and Behavior. . SpringerResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedings › Chapter › peer-review
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I Can't Do That, Dave: Challenges and Limitations of A.I. Psychotherapy
King, R. & Dempsey, M., 24 Apr 2026.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
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I Can’t Do That Dave: A.I. and Psychotherapy
King, R. & Dempsey, M., 2026, (Submitted) In: Philosophical Psychology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Interview with Daniel Dennett
King, R. & Kuhle, B., 2026, (Accepted/In press) On the Origin of the Evolution Revolution: Conversations with the Pioneers of Evolutionary Biology, Anthropology, and Psychology. Cambridge University PressResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedings › Chapter › peer-review
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Deviant Behavior (Journal)
King, R. (Reviewer)
2025 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication peer-review
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Psychology and Sexuality (Journal)
King, R. (Reviewer)
2022 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication peer-review
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Spree Killers: A Typology and their fan base. Middlesex University
King, R. (Speaker)
2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Oxford University Press (Publisher)
King, R. (Reviewer)
2018 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication peer-review
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Human Nature (Journal)
King, R. (Reviewer)
2017 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication peer-review
Press/Media
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Long-term side effects of Covid can destroy your love life as loss of taste and smell are linked to a fall in sex drive, warns top psychologist
26/02/22
4 items of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Is there a male-female ‘orgasm gap’? Unlocking the mystery of female sexual selection
23/03/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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That stinks; DAILY STAR, Monday, February 28, 2022 17 BEDROOM FEAR OVER VIRUS SMELL LOSS COULD HIT LOVE LIVES
28/02/22
2 items of Media coverage
Press/Media
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