C. Fergus Lowe
Bangor University
Professor C. Fergus Lowe (BA, Ph.D., CPsychol, FBPsS) was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and a professor of psychology and deputy vice-chancellor at Bangor University, Wales. His early research was concerned with temporal control of responding on schedules of reinforcement, and later focused on inter-species similarities and differences and, in particular, the transformative role of verbal behavior. This led in turn to research on the development of operant behavior in children and studies of adult human behavior in clinical and non-clinical populations. With Dr. Pauline Horne, he produced a new theoretical account of early language development, specifically “naming”, and its role in bringing about apparently emergent relations. He developed, with Dr. Horne, a programme that is very effective in bringing about large and long-lasting changes in children's diets. This award-winning programme, The Food Dudes, is being introduced to all primary schools nationally by the Irish government, to regions of the UK, and is attracting interest in several other countries. Professor Lowe led the Experimental Analysis of Behaviour Group in the UK for many years. As one passionate about the advancement of behavior analysis in Europe, he helped to initiate the first European-wide meetings of behavior analysts and was the first chair of the European Association for Behaviour Analysis. Additionally, he took part in the development of a major Centre for Arts and Innovation at Bangor (www.pontio.co.uk), which included the establishment of the first Centre for Behaviour Change in Europe.