Research
At EVAlabs, we explore how visual aesthetics shape human experience – from the first moments of perception to profound, transformative encounters with art.
Bringing together psychology, neuroscience and real-world research, we study art in the lab and in everyday contexts to understand what makes it meaningful, engaging and impactful. Our interdisciplinary work connects basic mechanisms with applications that benefit individuals and society.
What We Do
The EVAlabs research groups conduct research in the field of visual aesthetics—ranging from the fundamental processes underlying aesthetic effects, through neuroaesthetics and the biological foundations of beauty, to the societal impacts of transformative art. In doing so, we investigate the psychology of art both in the laboratory (The Arts) and in real-world environments – for example, in museums (The Museum) or in the city (Urban Aesthetics).
One of our research approaches involves combining fNIRS, fMRI, pharmacological approaches, and ultrasound-based neuromodulation to understand the role of dynamic brain networks in aesthetic experience (The Brain). We investigate and analyze perceptual features such as symmetry, curvature, harmony, composition, and colour (Aesthetics & Perception). To understand the Societal Impact, we explore how art promotes well-being, a sense of community, and social change—including topics such as empathy, migration, and climate change. Our research is supported by numerous funded projects.
Dive Deeper into Our Research
We invite you to explore our research areas, projects and publications to see how our findings take shape across lab studies, museums and urban environments. Discover the methods we use, the questions that motivate us and the collaborations that drive our research.
If you would like to learn more, get involved or collaborate with us, continue reading – and join us in uncovering how aesthetics shape minds, places and society.
