Professor Joel Pearson | Brain Sciences UNSW

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University role:

Professor

Phone:

04 3416-6483

Email:

jpearson@unsw.edu.au

Joel Pearson is a Psychologist, Neuroscientist and public intellectual working at the forefront of science, innovation and agile science.

Joel is a National Health and Medical Research Council fellow and A/Prof. of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia. He is the director of the Pearson Lab, a multidisciplinary agile Cognitive Neuroscience research group that does both fundamental and clinical research, consults with companies, artists and designers on brain science and is the founder and director of the UNSW Science of Innovation Lab (UNSW SIL), a world first, hands on human-centered research lab working on the Psychology and Neuroscience of innovation and entrepreneurship, how to train, boost and predict these characteristics.

Joel started his career studying art and filmmaking at one of Australia’s top fine arts school, Collage of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales. However, he then decided to apply his creative discovery techniques to the scientific mysteries of human consciousness and the complexities of brain. He completed his science PhD in 2 years, while fitting in several around the world trips and invited conference and university talks, alongside several publications.

An internationally recognized leader in human consciousness research, Pearson’s group takes an innovative, agile, first principles approach to developing new methods to measure dimensions of human experience previously thought to be immeasurable. A few examples are the group’s novel methods to measure the human imagination, intuition and hallucinations, using objective, reliable, neuroscientific methods. This work spans from fundamental science to helping individuals in the clinic – translational cognitive neuroscience.

Joel’s research has been recognized with major accolades including the 2009 William James award for the greatest scientific contribution to understanding consciousness. His team’s efforts have been featured in The Huffington Post, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review, LiveScience, Discovery Channel, BBC and a host of other major media outlets.

Recognizing that the most exciting and surprising scientific discoveries of the 21^st century will likely involve a high number of accidental breakthroughs and large amounts of rapid iterative pilot testing. Joel is a passionate proponent of high-risk discovery science and has developed a method called Agile Science, a practical guide to both practicing and reporting scientific discoveries – the ‘Lean Startup’ for the world of science.

Joel takes a multidisciplinary agile approach to running his lab, bringing in staff and students from art, architecture, mathematics, computer science, psychology, neuroscience and medical imaging. The group studies many different exciting and cutting-edge topics, from new methods to map the human brain, treating mental illness, how to boost the human imagination and decision-making, to cognitive biases in financial risk assessment.

A prolific writer and speaker, Joel sits at the intersection between science, innovation and art.

Research

Publications related to this Person

Book Chapters

Pearson J, 2012, 'Sates of Consciousness', in Passer M; Smith R (ed.), Psychology: The science of mind and behaviour, edn. Original, Australia, pp. 173 - 212

Tong F; Pearson J, 2007, 'Vision', in Baars B; Gage N (ed.), Cognition, Brain and Consciousness, edn. 1, Academic Press, United Kingdom, pp. 149 - 182

Journal articles

Koenig-Robert R; Pearson J, 2019, 'Decoding the contents and strength of imagery before volitional engagement', Scientific Reports, vol. 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-39813-y

Kwok EL; Leys G; Koenig-Robert R; Pearson J, 2018, 'Thought Control Failure: Sensory Determinants and Functional Effects', , http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/293761

Atasoy S; Deco G; Kringelbach ML; Pearson J, 2018, 'Harmonic Brain Modes: A Unifying Framework for Linking Space and Time in Brain Dynamics', Neuroscientist, vol. 24, pp. 277 - 293, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1073858417728032

Chiou R; Rich AN; Rogers S; Pearson J, 2018, 'Exploring the functional nature of synaesthetic colour: Dissociations from colour perception and imagery', Cognition, vol. 177, pp. 107 - 121, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2018.03.022

Vlassova A; Pearson J, 2018, 'Unconscious decisional learning improves unconscious information processing', Cognition, vol. 176, pp. 131 - 139, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2018.02.018

Keogh R; Pearson J, 2018, 'The blind mind: No sensory visual imagery in aphantasia', Cortex, vol. 105, pp. 53 - 60, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2017.10.012

Chang S; Pearson J, 2018, 'The functional effects of prior motion imagery and motion perception', Cortex, vol. 105, pp. 83 - 96, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2017.08.036

Atasoy S; Deco G; Kringelbach M; Pearson J, 2017, 'Harmonic brain modes: a unifying framework for linking space and time in brain dynamics', , http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/162040

Keogh R; Pearson J, 2017, 'The perceptual and phenomenal capacity of mental imagery', Cognition, vol. 162, pp. 124 - 132, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2017.02.004

Koenig-Robert R; Pearson J, 2016, 'Decoding the nonconscious dynamics of thought generation', , http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/090712

Pearson J; Chiou R; Rogers S; Wicken M; Heitmann S; Ermentrout B, 2016, 'Sensory dynamics of visual hallucinations in the normal population', eLife, vol. 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.17072

Bergmann J; Genç E; Kohler A; Singer W; Pearson J, 2016, 'Smaller primary visual cortex is associated with stronger, but less precise mental imagery', Cerebral Cortex, vol. 26, pp. 3838 - 3850, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhv186

Bergmann J; Pilatus U; Genç E; Kohler A; Singer W; Pearson J, 2016, 'V1 surface size predicts GABA concentration in medial occipital cortex', NeuroImage, vol. 124, pp. 654 - 662, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.09.036

Atasoy S; Donnelly I; Pearson J, 2016, 'Human brain networks function in connectome-specific harmonic waves', Nature Communications, vol. 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10340

Bergmann J; Genç E; Kohler A; Singer W; Pearson J, 2016, 'Neural Anatomy of Primary Visual Cortex Limits Visual Working Memory', Cerebral Cortex, vol. 26, pp. 43 - 50, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhu168

Payzan-LeNestour E; Balleine BW; Berrada T; Pearson J, 2016, 'Variance After-Effects Distort Risk Perception in Humans', Current Biology, vol. 26, pp. 1500 - 1504, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2016.04.023

Lufityanto G; Donkin C; Pearson J, 2016, 'Measuring Intuition: Nonconscious Emotional Information Boosts Decision Accuracy and Confidence', Psychological Science, vol. 27, pp. 622 - 634, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0956797616629403

Pearson J; Naselaris T; Holmes EA; Kosslyn SM, 2015, 'Mental Imagery: Functional Mechanisms and Clinical Applications', Trends in Cognitive Sciences, vol. 19, pp. 590 - 602, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2015.08.003

Pearson J; Kosslyn SM, 2015, 'The heterogeneity of mental representation: Ending the imagery debate.', Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, vol. 112, pp. 10089 - 10092, http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1504933112

Shine JM; Keogh R; O’Callaghan C; Muller AJ; Lewis SJG; Pearson J, 2015, 'Imagine that: Elevated sensory strength of mental imagery in individuals with Parkinson’s disease and visual hallucinations', Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, vol. 282, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.2047

Dieter KC; Tadin D; Pearson J, 2015, 'Motion-induced blindness continues outside visual awareness and without attention', Scientific Reports, vol. 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep11841

Pearson J; Westbrook F, 2015, 'Phantom perception: Voluntary and involuntary nonretinal vision', Trends in Cognitive Sciences, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2015.03.004

Wassell J; Rogers SL; Felmingam KL; Bryant RA; Pearson J, 2015, 'Sex hormones predict the sensory strength and vividness of mental imagery', Biological Psychology, vol. 107, pp. 61 - 68, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.02.003

Wassell J; Rogers S; Felmingam KL; Pearson J; Bryant RA, 2015, 'Progesterone and mental imagery interactively predict emotional memories', Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 51, pp. 1 - 10, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.09.005

Khuu SK; Chung CYL; Lord S; Pearson J, 2014, 'Unconscious local motion alters global image speed', PLoS ONE, vol. 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0112804

Keogh R; Pearson J, 2014, 'The sensory strength of voluntary visual imagery predicts visual working memory capacity', Journal of Vision, vol. 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/14.12.7

Vlassova A; Donkin C; Pearson J, 2014, 'Unconscious information changes decision accuracy but not confidence', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 111, pp. 16214 - 16218, http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1403619111

Pearson J, 2014, 'New Directions in Mental-Imagery Research: The Binocular-Rivalry Technique and Decoding fMRI Patterns', Current Directions in Psychological Science, vol. 23, pp. 178 - 183, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0963721414532287

Lewis DE; O'Reilly MJ; Khuu SK; Pearson J, 2013, 'Conditioning the mind's eye: Associative learning with voluntary mental imagery', Clinical Psychological Science, vol. 1, pp. 390 - 400, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2167702613484716

Pearson J; Kosslyn SM, 2013, 'Mental imagery.', Front Psychol, vol. 4, pp. 198, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00198

de Zilva D; Vu L; Newell BR; Pearson J, 2013, 'Exposure Is Not Enough: Suppressing Stimuli from Awareness Can Abolish the Mere Exposure Effect', PLoS ONE, vol. 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0077726

Vlassova A; Pearson J, 2013, 'Look Before You Leap: Sensory Memory Improves Decision Making', Psychological Science, vol. 24, pp. 1635 - 1643, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0956797612474321

Chang S; Lewis DE; Pearson J, 2013, 'The functional effects of color perception and color imagery', Journal of Vision, vol. 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/13.10.4

Lewis DE; Pearson J; Khuu SK, 2013, 'The Color "Fruit": Object Memories Defined by Color', PLoS ONE, vol. 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064960

Vlassova A; Pearson J, 2012, 'Sensory processing in the absence of conscious awareness improves decision-making', PERCEPTION, vol. 41, pp. 209 - 209, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000208912500661&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Pearson J, 2012, 'Associative learning: Pavlovian conditioning without awareness', Current Biology, vol. 22, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2012.04.042

Ashley S; Pearson J, 2012, 'When more equals less: Overtraining inhibits perceptual learning owing to lack of wakeful consolidation', Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, vol. 279, pp. 4143 - 4147, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2012.1423

Rademaker RL; Pearson J, 2012, 'Training visual imagery: Improvements of metacognition, but not imagery strength', Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 3, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00224

Bradley C; Pearson J, 2012, 'The sensory components of high-capacity iconic memory and visual working memory', Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 3, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00355

Knapen T; Brascamp J; Pearson J; van Ee R; Blake R, 2011, 'The role of frontal and parietal brain areas in bistable perception', Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 31, pp. 10293 - 10301, http://dx.doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1727-11.2011

Pearson J; Rademaker RL; Tong F, 2011, 'Evaluating the mind's eye: The metacognition of visual imagery', Psychological Science, vol. 22, pp. 1535 - 1542, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0956797611417134

Keogh R; Pearson J, 2011, 'Mental imagery and visual working memory', PLoS ONE, vol. 6, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029221

Pearson J, 2010, 'Inner vision: Seeing the mind's eye', Psyche, vol. 16, pp. 1 - 8

Sherwood R; Pearson J, 2010, 'Closing the mind's eye: Incoming luminance signals disrupt visual imagery', PLoS ONE, vol. 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0015217

Brascamp JW; Pearson J; Blake R; van den Berg AV, 2009, 'Intermittent ambiguous stimuli: Implicit memory causes periodic perceptual alternations', Journal of Vision, vol. 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/9.3.3

Ling S; Pearson J; Blake R, 2009, 'Dissociation of Neural Mechanisms Underlying Orientation Processing in Humans', Current Biology, vol. 19, pp. 1458 - 1462, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2009.06.069

Pearson J; Clifford CWG; Tong F, 2008, 'The Functional Impact of Mental Imagery on Conscious Perception', Current Biology, vol. 18, pp. 982 - 986, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2008.05.048

Pearson J; Brascamp J, 2008, 'Sensory memory for ambiguous vision', Trends in Cognitive Sciences, vol. 12, pp. 334 - 341, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2008.05.006

Pearson J; Tadin D; Blake R, 2007, 'The effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on visual rivalry', Journal of Vision, vol. 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/7.7.2

Pearson J; Clifford CWG, 2005, 'Mechanisms selectively engaged in rivalry: Normal vision habituates, rivalrous vision primes', Vision Research, vol. 45, pp. 707 - 714, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2004.09.040

Pearson J; Clifford CWG, 2005, 'Suppressed patterns alter vision during binocular rivalry', Current Biology, vol. 15, pp. 2142 - 2148, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2005.10.066

Pearson J; Clifford CWG, 2005, 'When your brain decides what you see: Grouping across monocular, binocular, and stimulus rivalry', Psychological Science, vol. 16, pp. 516 - 519, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0956-7976.2005.01566.x

Watson TL; Pearson J; Clifford CWG, 2004, 'Perceptual grouping of biological motion promotes binocular rivalry', Current Biology, vol. 14, pp. 1670 - 1674, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2004.08.064

Pearson J; Clifford CWG, 2004, 'Determinants of visual awareness following interruptions during rivalry', Journal of Vision, vol. 4, pp. 196 - 202, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/4.3.6

Clifford CWG; Holcombe AO; Pearson J, 2004, 'Rapid global form binding with loss of associated colors', Journal of Vision, vol. 4, pp. 1090 - 1101, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/4.12.8

Clifford CWG; Spehar B; Pearson J, 2004, 'Motion transparency promotes synchronous perceptual binding', Vision Research, vol. 44, pp. 3073 - 3080, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2004.07.022

Clifford CWG; Arnold DH; Pearson J, 2003, 'A paradox of temporal perception revealed by a stimulus oscillating in colour and orientation', Vision Research, vol. 43, pp. 2245 - 2253, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0042-6989(03)00120-2

Clifford CWG; Pearson J; Forte JD; Spehar B, 2003, 'Colour and luminance selectivity of spatial and temporal interactions in orientation perception', Vision Research, vol. 43, pp. 2885 - 2893, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2003.08.005

Conference Papers

McDonald S; Rushby J; Pearson J; English T, 2011, 'Impaired automatic processing of emotional faces following severe TBI: A backward masking paradigm. Brain Impairment', in Douglas J; Tate R (eds.), Brain Impairment, Australian Academic Press, Auckland New Zealand, pp. 42, presented at International Neuropsychological Society Mid-year Meeting/Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI) 4th Pacific Rim Conference,, Auckland New Zealand, 06 - 09 July 2011

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