Research

Research topics

We are interested in the following topics:

  • Bio-psycho-social mechanisms of social interaction social interaction (Autism-Spectrum-Conditions, social anxiety, personality disorders)

  • Neurobiological correlates of socio-emotional processes (behaviour, MRI, EEG, psychophysiology, eye-tracking, neuromodulation)

  • Development and evaluation of diagnostic and interventional procedures for children and adults with mental illness (individual and group CBT, e-mental health, robotics)

  • Patient and Public involvement (PPI) / Participatory research

Methods

We use a variety of methods such as behavioural testing, self-reports, eye-tracking, sMRI, fMRI, EEG, and other psychophysiological methods. We put emphasis on ecological validity – for instance, by using videos of complex social interactions.

Tasks & apps

Our group has developed various applications to train and measure socio-cognitive abilities in children and adults.


Current projects

Bio-psycho-social mechanisms of social interaction disorders

Are there individual biological markers that predict treatment success in autism? How do different interventions lead to specific neurocognitive changes? How does ASD and social anxiety differentiate at the brain-level? What determines successful social interaction between same- and mixed- neurotype individuals? These and other questions are addressed in the various research projects in the fields of autism and social neuroscience.

List of bio-psycho-social mechanisms of social interaction disorders:


Neurobiological correlates of socio-emotional processes

How are rewards processed by people with autism? How do these changes manifest themselves in the brain? Is depression driving aberrant affective mimicry in autism? What psychological factors and are related to better emotional awareness? Does ethnicity play a role in trusting others? These and other questions are addressed in the various research projects dealing with neurobiological correlates of socio-emotional processes.

List of neurobiological correlates of socio-emotional processes:


Development and evaluation of diagnostic and interventional procedures for children and adults with mental illnesses

How can we strengthen the socio-emotional skills of children and adults with and without autism through digital interventions? Is breathwork an effective therapeutic practice for trauma processing? These and other questions other questions are addressed in the various projects that deal with the development and evaluation of therapeutic interventions and technology-based tools.

List of projects on development and evaluation of diagnostic and interventional procedures for children and adults with mental illnesses:


Patient and PUBLIC Involvement/Participatory Research

What topics are most important to investigate for people affected by mental health conditions? How can we include different perspectives when shaping research projects? Our PPI work ensures all relevant voices are heard, aiming for more inclusive research.

List of patient and public involvement/participatory research projects:


Completed projects

Our completed research projects are listed in this section.

List of completed projects: