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Introducing the participants of this year's UCL-PSL doctoral research internship programme
11 October 2023
Two UCL doctoral students have been selected for research stays at Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL).
In May 2023, UCL Global Engagement accepted applications from UCL doctoral students of all disciplines for funding towards short-term research stays at Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL). This opportunity enables students to gain international research experience by becoming integrated members of research teams at PSL.
Meet the doctoral students who have been selected to conduct their research stays at PSL this autumn:
Benjy Barnett
4th year PhD student in the UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences
Programme of study: Ecological Brain Doctoral Training Programme
PSL host institution: École Normale Supérieure
Benjy is currently collecting data for a MEG (magnetoencephalography) study exploring the neural representations underlying the subjective experience of absences.
These neural representations are specific patterns of brain activity or configurations linked to our personal sense of something being absent, whether it's a thought, sensation or perception.
The data collection phase of this study is nearly complete, and Benjy's upcoming trip to Paris provides an excellent opportunity for him to carry out some of the planned data analyses while working in the 'Subjectivity, Brain and Viscera' group led by Dr Catherine Tallon-Baudry.
Benjy typically uses a data analysis method called multivariate decoding, but Catherine's group have a wealth of experience in using ERP (event-related potential) and time-frequency analyses with M/EEG data. He hopes to learn from their expertise and expand the tools with which he can analyse his data.
During his time with Catherine's group, Benjy also looks forward to giving presentations and having meetings with other MEG experts, in order to get valuable feedback on his ongoing project.
Lucy Sabin
4th year PhD student in the UCL Faculty of Social & Historical Sciences
Programme of study: Geography (practice-related)
PSL host institution: École des Arts Décoratifs
Lucy will be working with the SYMBIOSE research group of EnsadLab, the research laboratory of the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs.
Her project will explore the geophilosophy of air and breathing in relation to the concept of symbiosis, which literally means "living together".
During the residency, Lucy will use creative methods to trace a genealogy of environmental arts that convey atmospheric conditions as conditions of togetherness and immersion. This research visit is part of her doctorate, with the working title: An ontology of "air quality" with creative practice.
The next application cycle for the UCL-PSL doctoral research internship will open in Spring 2024. Keep an eye out for more information.