Dr Peter Hansen's Research Interests

Visual Processing and Reading in the Neural Basis of Reading Group
Understanding how visual processing gives rise to word recognition and reading, using psychophysical and neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, DTI, MEG). Investigating the fundamental relationships between letter-string position encoding, dynamic visual attention and visual word recognition. Exploring how auditory and visual processing perceptual impairments may contribute in developmental dyslexia. Collaboration with Dr Piers Cornelissen (Newcastle). Postdoc: Dr Morten Kringelbach Graduate student: Maki Koyama.

Form and Motion Perception
Investigation of the human cortical areas responsible for the perception of motion, the delineation of the different types of perceived motion and their cortical specialisation. The relationship between different types of motion and form processing. Former graduate students: Loredana Santoro and Amande Pauls.

The Role of the Cerebellum in Perception and Cognition
Investigation of the role of the cerebellum in cognition and perception, in particular motion perception. Collaboration with Dr Ned Jenkinson (Oxford) and Prof Chris Miall (Birmingham).

Neural Basis of Creative Intelligence
The investigation of models of adaptive frontal recruitment, particularly in gifted individuals, using open-ended creative fluid analogy tasks and neuroimaging, with particular emphasis on the relationship between such creative thinking tasks, standard IQ measures and reading ability. Collaboration with Prof John Geake, Westminster Institute of Education, Oxford Brookes University.

Cortical Plasticity and Synaesthesia
Neuroimaging and psychophysics of cortical plasticity in synaesthesia, particularly coloured-grapheme synaesthesia. The investigation, of where and how sensory information is processed and combined in synaesthetes. Former graduate student: Megan Steven.

Multisensory Integration
Neuroimaging of crossmodal processing and integration arising from multiple sensory inputs, such as audio-visual and visuo-tactile combinations. The investigation, utilizing fMRI and MEG, of where, when and how these sensory inputs combine. The relationship between multisensory integration of auditory and visual senses and language/reading development. Collaboration with Dr Gemma Calvert.