Sophie Smit

My research investigates how the brain processes information from the world around us, focusing on the integration of visual and tactile information, which is crucial for aspects like self-perception and social understanding. I employ EEG and machine learning to study brain representations of touch, both directly felt and observed, such as through videos depicting touch. I also examine individual variations in sensory processing, particularly in relation to empathy and phenomena like vicarious touch and mirror-touch synaesthesia, where one feels touch when observing touch on others. Additionally, I explore multisensory perception more broadly, delving into how vision, touch, proprioception, and audition interact. The goal is to unravel the intricacies of sensory processing and the unique variations that exist among individuals.