Current Research
Language
Language serves as a fundamental medium through which we encode our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. By studying the properties and functions of language, we can unravel how human experiences are intricately encoded and transformed through symbolic operations.
Inner Speech
Inner speech, the silent voice in our minds, is an enigmatic conscious experience where the brain engages in a dialogue with itself. Why and how does the brain reflect on itself and interact with the world through language, and why is this ability not experienced universally by all individuals?
Voice Hearing
Voice hearing refers to perceiving non-existent voices. While some people occasionally hear names or imagine familiar voices, others suffer from persistent, distressing voices. What does this continuum reveal about the brain, and how does occasional voice hearing develop into psychosis?
Facilities
Behavioural and Online Testing
We maintain multiple climate-controlled or soundproof testing laboratories designed for behavioural experiments. These spaces support our research on self-talk and the behavioural correlates of inner speech and cognitive processing. Our research capabilities extend beyond physical labs through institutional access to Pavlovia.
Eye Tracking
Our Eyelink 1000 eye tracking system allows us to examine how inner speech and cognitive processes are reflected in eye movement patterns. By measuring gaze patterns, fixations, and pupil responses, we can gain insights into attentional processes and cognitive load during internal language generation and processing tasks.
High-density EEG with 3D digitisation
Our lab primarily uses an EGI 128-channel EEG system for high-density electroencephalographic recordings. This setup provides exceptional temporal resolution for capturing neural activity patterns associated with inner speech and language processing.
High-End Computing
Advanced data analysis of EEG and physiological recordings is supported by Lancaster University’s High End Computing (HEC) Cluster. This powerful computing resource provides access to over 14,000 computing cores and advanced GPU capabilities, enabling sophisticated signal processing and analysis techniques essential for extracting meaningful patterns from complex neurophysiological data.