Projects

The aim of this research project is to uncover how poverty affects cognitive processes and life and unveil the underlying neural mechanisms by examining alterations in brain networks related to various poverty indicators, including malnutrition, from a lifespan perspective. Using digital science tools on large-scale databases, the goal is to advance knowledge, promote equitable opportunities and contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty. Contact person: Çiçek Güven

CITaDOG will assess to what extent public disclosure of single-case decisions as open data can strengthen transparency in administrative decision-making. This ‘case-inclusive transparency’ should empower citizens as watchdogs (‘citadogs’), thereby strengthening equality of arms between citizens and governments and increasing the legitimacy of administrative single-case decision-making. Contact person: Samaneh Khoshrou

The main issues of applying AI in healthcare practice concern the potential errors and patient harm, algorithmic bias caused by bad data and the application outside the scope, lack of transparency, persistent trust issues, the difficulty of deployment in the routine clinical care, privacy issues of medical records, liability with AI, and the risk of increased health inequalities. Aim of this project is to develop an integral system of practices, processes, and technological tools to support healthcare organizations’ deployment of AI technologies. Contact person: Marie Postma

Combining expertise in machine learning, image analysis and app development with a collaboration with Sanquin blood bank, offers a unique opportunity to develop and validate a smartphone app able to measure hemoglobin levels from a picture of your fingernails. Contact person: Elisabeth Huid in 't Veld

Together with Sanquin, the only Dutch blood donation organization, this project aims (1) to develop a mobile application to assess cognition and (2) to validate the app with blood donors of all ages. The project outcomes will create synergies between psychological and public health research using digital sciences. Contact person: Elisabeth Huis in 't Veld

To study whether mind wandering can be detected or even predicted from people’s eye movements and pupillary changes, a virtual reality driving simulator will be designed. Because it is also important to understand when mind wandering becomes dangerous, the project will also shed light on how different types and degrees of mind wandering affect driving behaviors. Working closely with Veilig Verkeer Nederland ensures that the project findings will be translated into campaigns to promote safe and attentive driving. Contact person: Myrthe Faber

Despite some investigation of duration as rhythmic property in the context of second language learning, little is known about the perception of pitch and intensity as syntactic markers. In this project a rhythmic test will be developed to measure second language learners’ perception of pitch and intensity in the context of the temporal organization of sounds, namely rhythm. So a better understanding of the auditory plasticity of second language learners can be gained and used to develop an explicit training of the relevant properties for different language background. This training may, in turn, aid individuals' second language segmentation and comprehension skills. Contact person: Paula Roncaglia

This project focuses on investigating why and under which circumstances current Machine Translation systems perpetuate gender bias, how an ethical framework can evaluate and tackle it, and whether existing legal frameworks recognize and redress gendered linguistic injustice in this context. Contact person: Eva Vanmassenhove

SignON (Sign Language Translation Mobile Application and Open Communications Framework) (European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme). SignON is a user-centric and community-driven project that aims to research and develop an innovative machine translation framework and a mobile application to facilitate the exchange of information among deaf and hard of hearing, and hearing individuals. Contact person: Dimitar Shterionov.

Opening the Black Box of Deep Learning for Language, Speech and Music (NWO). Project lead: Dr. Jelle Zuidema – University of Amsterdam; with (among others)  Afra Alishahi and Grzegorz Chrupała.  Deep learning is producing AI models so accurate that they are significantly affecting individuals, businesses and society. New responsibilities and questions are arising, and the poor interpretability of deep learning is a serious limitation. The consortium studies how to make deep learning transparent and ‘explainable’ for speech, language, and music applications.

MasterMinds Regio deal (2020-2024). Gemeente Tilburg. Contact person: Vera de Berk

MindLabs (2019-2023). Provincie Brabant. Contact person: Pieter Spronck

MindLabs (2017-2027). Gemeente Tilburg. Contact person: Pieter Spronck

FAINT: FAcial INfrared Thermal Imaging in the prevention of needle-induced fainting. Contact person: Lisanne Huis in ‘t Veld.

Coordination and complexity: Augmenting team adaptive performance in crisis situations with wearable technology (2020-2024). Travis Wiltshire acquired a grant together with Josette Gevers (TU/e) as part of the Complexity and Creative Industry program of NWO. More information can be found below and at the NWO site (in Dutch). The grant covers two PhDs and workshops with the consortium partners. Joint project with Josette Gevers (TU/e). Contact person: Travis Wiltshire.

WeCare project AI and overcoming needle phobia (2021): Project with ETZ. Contact person: Lisanne Huis in ‘t Veld.

WeCare seed project AI and Radiology (2020): Joint project with ETZ. Contact persons: Sharon Ong and Sebastian Olier.

WeCare seed project AI and Neurology/Neuropsychology (2020): Joint project with ETZ. Sebastian Olier and Sharon Ong.