Megan Peters

Megan Peters is a cognitive scientist who left a tenured position at the University of California, Irvine to join University College London's Department of Experimental Psychology in summer 2026. Her research examines how the brain processes and represents uncertainty.

Peters said the Trump administration's stance on higher education and scientific research pushed her to look abroad. "It became very apparent, very quickly, that the new administration did not value higher education," she said, or the scientific research done at universities. She was recruited by UCL professor Steve Fleming, who had a role opening in the department that seemed like a strong fit for her work.

Despite the move involving a pay cut, Peters said London and UCL in particular were "a huge draw scientifically and professionally," and that the position offers access to funding sources not available to her in the United States. She is one of several prominent recruits joining UCL from US institutions this year.