PARC Research Themes
The research in the PARC covers a broad range of topics focused around how the brain processes incoming information, makes decisions based on this information and then responds with actions in the world. Our research can be grouped under 3 main themes: Perception, Attention, and Action.
Perception
Perceiving the world and all that it contains is vital for normal functioning. Our research explores how we perceive the world from simple shapes to entire scenes. We use a variety of neuroimaging techniques and behavioural measures to explore how our brain generates the perceptual reality we ‘see’.
Some of the projects within this theme
- Multiple object tracking
- Gaze following: Automatic or top-down?
- Seeing clearly: Examining the consequences of glaucoma for the human brain
- Synaesthesia Research
Researchers within this theme
- Associate Professor Kevin Brooks
- Dr Nicolas Bullot
- Dr Thomas Carlson
- Dr Kim Curby
- Associate Professor Matthew Finkbeiner
- Associate Professor Anina Rich
- Dr Kiley Seymour
- Dr Ian Stephen
- Dr Susan Wardle
- Professor Mark Williams
- Dr Regine Zopf
Attention
Attention is fundamental for successful functioning in the world. Our research studies the factors that influence the way we select and combine information within and across multiple senses and what distracts us, the relationship between attention and awareness, and the neural mechanisms that underpin these crucial aspects of human perception.
Some of the projects within this theme
- Face processing and attention
- The brain that adapts itself: Flexible processing in an ever-changing world
Researchers within this theme
Action
Our research on Action falls under two broad themes. In one line of work, we use people’s actions (reaching, grasping and eye-movements) as a ‘window’ in on the dynamics of human information processing. In the other line of work, we study the neural and sensorimotor mechanisms that are involved in action planning and control.