The focus of our research group is the investigation of cognition within a broad comparative framework. Specifically, we investigate the ability to perceive the patterns and learn the rules that underlie human music, spoken language, and visual art, with the aim to determine the degree to which they are shared with non-human animals. Comparative work on humans, birds and nonhuman primates using an "artificial grammar" paradigm aims to determine the level of complexity of patterns that different species are able to perceive and understand.  "Complexity" is measured using the framework of formal language theory.

The ERC Advanced Grant "SOMACCA" stands for "The Syntax of Mind: A Computational, Comparative Approach", and focusses on the pattern-perception and rule-learning capabilities that underlie human music, spoken language, and visual art, and aims to determine the degree to which they are shared with non-human animals.

In the Bioacoustics Laboratory we focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying vocal production in vertebrates, especially mammals and birds, and in using this understanding to design playback experiments to understand animal communication. We use a diverse set of approaches, including non-invasive imaging techniques (x-ray video, ultrasound, EGG) and excised larynx work with high-speed video to understand the physics and physiology of vocal production.

For more information please visit our Labs and Research pages.