The desire for knowledge: Neural mechanisms of information-seeking. This project aims to determine the mechanisms that drive individuals to seek out information, and to characterise the neural processes that underlie how that information is valued. The project tests the idea that information is represented in the brain as a form of reward. The results are expected to contribute significant mechanistic insights at the level of brain and behaviour on the nature of information value. This is likely ....The desire for knowledge: Neural mechanisms of information-seeking. This project aims to determine the mechanisms that drive individuals to seek out information, and to characterise the neural processes that underlie how that information is valued. The project tests the idea that information is represented in the brain as a form of reward. The results are expected to contribute significant mechanistic insights at the level of brain and behaviour on the nature of information value. This is likely to have wide-ranging implications across multiple domains of human endeavour, including education, work-place efficiency, policy development, and consumer behaviour.Read moreRead less
Improving the diagnosticity of eyewitness memory choices. Eyewitness identification error is common and costly. This project aims to improve the quality of information provided by eyewitnesses, and the ability of police officers and triers of fact (e.g., juries, judges) to evaluate this information. Laboratory investigations will determine how best to test memory and confidence to achieve this aim. A new class of cognitive models will provide a unified account of response accuracy, response time ....Improving the diagnosticity of eyewitness memory choices. Eyewitness identification error is common and costly. This project aims to improve the quality of information provided by eyewitnesses, and the ability of police officers and triers of fact (e.g., juries, judges) to evaluate this information. Laboratory investigations will determine how best to test memory and confidence to achieve this aim. A new class of cognitive models will provide a unified account of response accuracy, response time, and confidence, suitable for application to computerized testing scenarios. The models and testing methods validated in the laboratory will be refined for application in eyewitness memory settings, facilitating better evaluation of identification evidence, and potentially reducing wrongful convictions.Read moreRead less
A Generic Framework for Verifying Machine Learning Algorithms. This project aims to discover new ways to verify whether decisions made by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms are as per the specifications set by their designers and/or regulatory bodies. The project also provides new methods to align algorithm decisions when they are found to be non-abiding. The outcomes will include new machine learning theories and frameworks for algorithmic assurance. The significance of the ....A Generic Framework for Verifying Machine Learning Algorithms. This project aims to discover new ways to verify whether decisions made by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms are as per the specifications set by their designers and/or regulatory bodies. The project also provides new methods to align algorithm decisions when they are found to be non-abiding. The outcomes will include new machine learning theories and frameworks for algorithmic assurance. The significance of the project is that it will offer a crucial platform for certifying algorithms and thus benefit society and businesses in deciding the right Artificial Intelligence algorithms. Read moreRead less
Multiscale and multimodal modelling of brain dynamics. This project aims to understand dynamics of how several brain regions work together to process information. This project will generate new knowledge in brain sciences by using state of the art computational modelling and neuroimaging methods like functional and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and electromagnetic measurements. This project will develop technologies to compute multiscale, multimodal and directed connectivity in the brain. ....Multiscale and multimodal modelling of brain dynamics. This project aims to understand dynamics of how several brain regions work together to process information. This project will generate new knowledge in brain sciences by using state of the art computational modelling and neuroimaging methods like functional and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and electromagnetic measurements. This project will develop technologies to compute multiscale, multimodal and directed connectivity in the brain. Expected outcomes of this project will enhance our understanding of the brain’s functional organization and dynamics. The benefits of this project will include breakthroughs in development of new neuro-technologies like brain-machine interfaces and neuroscience inspired artificial intelligence. Read moreRead less
Are super-complex words represented like sentences in speakers' minds? This project aims to examine speakers' knowledge of super-complex words in the remote Australian language Wubuy. The project will provide a crucial test of current theories of language processing and linguistic typology via experimental work on the Indigenous language Wubuy, a language that defies the perceived fundamental distinction between words and phrases. This will have significant benefit to Indigenous language mainten ....Are super-complex words represented like sentences in speakers' minds? This project aims to examine speakers' knowledge of super-complex words in the remote Australian language Wubuy. The project will provide a crucial test of current theories of language processing and linguistic typology via experimental work on the Indigenous language Wubuy, a language that defies the perceived fundamental distinction between words and phrases. This will have significant benefit to Indigenous language maintenance and revitalisation efforts and thus help improve Indigenous education outcomes and reinforce cultural pride.Read moreRead less
Human Scheduling of Perceptual Tasks. This project aims to develop a novel approach for synthesising how people prioritise information with theories of attention and decision making. Characterising inefficient scheduling in the tradeoff between the difficulty and the cost/benefit of different subtasks will allow the development of a formal computional model that generalises statistical models of rank order data to a theory of the timing of scheduling decisions and task completions. Outcomes incl ....Human Scheduling of Perceptual Tasks. This project aims to develop a novel approach for synthesising how people prioritise information with theories of attention and decision making. Characterising inefficient scheduling in the tradeoff between the difficulty and the cost/benefit of different subtasks will allow the development of a formal computional model that generalises statistical models of rank order data to a theory of the timing of scheduling decisions and task completions. Outcomes include benchmark data from a novel paradigm for studying perceptual decisions and behavior and a model which can explain and predict human scheduling. This project aims to benefit industry by allowing for the simulation of information prioritisation by human agents in complex environments.Read moreRead less
Testing an Integrative Model of Interpersonal Partner Aggression. The project aims to conduct: 1) a developmental test (i.e., from childhood to adulthood), and 2) a dyadic longitudinal test of an integrative model of intimate partner violence (IPV). The project is significant as it addresses 4 key IPV research limitations. These are the lack of: 1) focus on relationship dynamics; 2) longitudinal research on couples; 3) developmental tests of IPV; 4) research on same-sex couples. Expected outcome ....Testing an Integrative Model of Interpersonal Partner Aggression. The project aims to conduct: 1) a developmental test (i.e., from childhood to adulthood), and 2) a dyadic longitudinal test of an integrative model of intimate partner violence (IPV). The project is significant as it addresses 4 key IPV research limitations. These are the lack of: 1) focus on relationship dynamics; 2) longitudinal research on couples; 3) developmental tests of IPV; 4) research on same-sex couples. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive suite of assessments to effectively detect and support couples at risk of IPV and self-help resources to combat IPV. Benefits include the development of an integrative framework to identify couples most at risk of IPV and guide the development of interventions and policy to reduce IPV.Read moreRead less
How childhood inattention affects the emerging cognitive landscape. This project aims to determine whether behavioural and cognitive inattention differentially map onto early and later developing cognitive skills such as numeracy and literacy. Lack of focus and concentration, distractibility, poor task completion and forgetfulness are common manifestations of inattention and can insidiously affect learning skills that need attention as a building block such as literacy and numeracy skills. Howev ....How childhood inattention affects the emerging cognitive landscape. This project aims to determine whether behavioural and cognitive inattention differentially map onto early and later developing cognitive skills such as numeracy and literacy. Lack of focus and concentration, distractibility, poor task completion and forgetfulness are common manifestations of inattention and can insidiously affect learning skills that need attention as a building block such as literacy and numeracy skills. However, how attention affects their acquisition, across development, is not fully known. The findings are expected to guide cognitive-based interventions to improve attention skills as a mechanism for improving children’s learning trajectories in the first years of schooling.Read moreRead less
Building trust and sustainability by promoting a moral frame to nature. The collective benefits of sustainable behaviour tend to be abstract and less obvious compared to the immediate benefits of self-interest. This project aims to examine an avenue through which to make these benefits more concrete and personal – by providing a moral frame to nature. The studies aim to explore how this may be achieved, the socio-ecological factors that might limit such attempts, and the downstream implications ....Building trust and sustainability by promoting a moral frame to nature. The collective benefits of sustainable behaviour tend to be abstract and less obvious compared to the immediate benefits of self-interest. This project aims to examine an avenue through which to make these benefits more concrete and personal – by providing a moral frame to nature. The studies aim to explore how this may be achieved, the socio-ecological factors that might limit such attempts, and the downstream implications for generalised trust and cooperation amongst human groups. We expect the findings will offer insight into an important avenue through which we can leverage human cooperation and trust and promote the value of the common good. Read moreRead less
Understanding secrecy in everyday life. This project aims to undertake the first systematic investigation of secrecy in everyday life. Secrecy is often vital in professional and personal life, but current scientific understanding of the costs and processes of secrecy is limited. This project proposes using innovative methodologies to estimate the psychological costs of secrecy and test an intervention to reduce these costs. Expected outcomes include developing theory, advancing methodology, and ....Understanding secrecy in everyday life. This project aims to undertake the first systematic investigation of secrecy in everyday life. Secrecy is often vital in professional and personal life, but current scientific understanding of the costs and processes of secrecy is limited. This project proposes using innovative methodologies to estimate the psychological costs of secrecy and test an intervention to reduce these costs. Expected outcomes include developing theory, advancing methodology, and building research capacity in supporting exceptional scholars. Significant benefits include educating community members about how to combat the harmful effects of secrecy.Read moreRead less