a hyperscanning investigation at UCL

Project title:

Inter-Brain Coupling in Social Interactions can be Augmented by Environmental Factors: a hyperscanning investigation.

Primary Supervisor: Professor Ilias Tachtsidis

The successful candidate will join the with the UCL CDT in Intelligent, Integrated Imaging in Healthcare (i4health) cohort and benefit from the activities and events organised by the centre. The scholarship stipend will be at least the UCL minimum as well home tuition fees and a generous research training grant for research expenses.

Background:

Hyperscanning is a new form of neuroimaging experiment where two participants are imaged simultaneously whilst they interact. In recent years, it has gathered interest specifically in social neuroscience, where the relationship between the neural data of participants is used to evaluate how brain response changes in tandem with varying degrees of social interactions and connectedness. It is proposed that quantification of the interplay between interacting participants can be used as a way to investigate mental health conditions including schizophrenia, social anxiety and autism. Social interactions are a fundamental aspect of human existence, from the interactions between a child and their parent, to world leaders on the global stage. The quality of social interaction we have is often considered a key driver, or consequence, of mental well-being. Identifying and quantifying dyadic neural markers of social interaction and in the process proposing ways to augment these markers via for example environmental changes; will enhance our understanding of social interactions. This an important goal of neuroimaging in a social neuroscience context.

Towards achieving the above challenges and goal, brain optical neuroimaging technology known as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can provide synchronous dyadic brain imaging in real time; and allow to quantify neural inter-brain coupling. fNIRS can imagemeasure with good spatial resolution and high temporal resolution the brain haemodynamicoxygenation changes secondary to neuronal activity. In addition, fNIRS is a highly portable technique that can be easily interfaced with other modalities including eye-tracking and systemic physiology, to provide a true measurement of brain and body interaction.

Research Aims:

This PhD project will:

1. use state-of-the-art brain functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (or fNIRS) to monitorimage the brain in real-time during two-person interacting dyads;
2. develop computational methods of quantifying the relationship between dyadic neural data towards markers of social interaction;
3. apply and evaluate these developments in naturalistic settings of social interaction between dyads with and without environmental augmentations to prove modulation of social interaction and neural dyadic markers

Requirements:

A first degree in neuroscience, psychology, physics or engineering (incl computer science) would be preferred, however candidates from other potentially relevant backgrounds (e.g., nature sciences and chemistry) will be considered if they can show the right level of commitment and interest.

Eligibility:

This studentship is for Home Fee applicants only. Overseas fee payers will not be considered. You can find out more information about Fee Status criteria here

Deadline: 28th July 2023

How to Apply

Please complete the following steps to apply.

• Send an expression of interest and CV to: i.tachtsidis@ucl.ac.uk and cdtadmin@ucl.ac.uk. Please quote Project Code: 23030 in the email subject line.
• Make a formal application to via the UCL application portal. Please select the programme code Medical Imaging TMRMEISING01 and enter Project Code 23030 under ‘Name of Award 1’.