I study dynamic language signals: spoken language, sign language and visual speech (lip-reading).
I use both behavioural and neuroimaging (fMRI, fNIRS) methods to ask two questions:
(1) How does the brain adapt to different language signals?:
How does language modality influence language representations?
Are taboo words processed differently to other kinds of words?
How do we comprehend language when the signal is degraded?
(2) How do brain systems for language differ between individuals?:
How do language impaired neural systems differ?
How do language systems change with development?
My brain imaging work is distinctive in applying multivariate and computational analytical approaches to fMRI and fNIRS data.
I use both behavioural and neuroimaging (fMRI, fNIRS) methods to ask two questions:
(1) How does the brain adapt to different language signals?:
How does language modality influence language representations?
Are taboo words processed differently to other kinds of words?
How do we comprehend language when the signal is degraded?
(2) How do brain systems for language differ between individuals?:
How do language impaired neural systems differ?
How do language systems change with development?
My brain imaging work is distinctive in applying multivariate and computational analytical approaches to fMRI and fNIRS data.
Key publications:
Evans, S., Price, C.J., Diedrichsen, J., Gutierrez-Sigut, E. & MacSweeney, M. (In Press). Speech and sign share partially overlapping representations. Current Biology.
Evans, S. and McGettigan, C. 2017. Comprehending auditory speech: previous and potential contributions of functional MRI. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience. 32 (7), pp. 829-846.
Evans, S. and Davis, M.H. 2015. Hierarchical organization of auditory and motor representations in speech perception: Evidence from searchlight similarity analysis. Cerebral Cortex. 25 (12), pp. 4772-4788.
*Evans, S., *Kyong, J.S., Rosen, S., Golestani, N., Warren, J.E., McGettigan, C., Mourão-Miranda, J., Wise, R.J.S. and Scott, S.K. 2014. The Pathways for Intelligible Speech: Multivariate and Univariate Perspectives . Cerebral Cortex. 24 (9).
Evans, S., Price, C.J., Diedrichsen, J., Gutierrez-Sigut, E. & MacSweeney, M. (In Press). Speech and sign share partially overlapping representations. Current Biology.
Evans, S. and McGettigan, C. 2017. Comprehending auditory speech: previous and potential contributions of functional MRI. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience. 32 (7), pp. 829-846.
Evans, S. and Davis, M.H. 2015. Hierarchical organization of auditory and motor representations in speech perception: Evidence from searchlight similarity analysis. Cerebral Cortex. 25 (12), pp. 4772-4788.
*Evans, S., *Kyong, J.S., Rosen, S., Golestani, N., Warren, J.E., McGettigan, C., Mourão-Miranda, J., Wise, R.J.S. and Scott, S.K. 2014. The Pathways for Intelligible Speech: Multivariate and Univariate Perspectives . Cerebral Cortex. 24 (9).