Matthias Nau
Cognitive neuroscientist Matthias Nau investigates how the human brain perceives, remembers, and imagines. Nau’s work addresses this question by combining multi-task studies, naturalistic neuroimaging, and behavioral tracking (e.g., fMRI, eye tracking). Moreover, he actively develops AI-powered open-access community tools for joint studies of human brain activity and behavior.
“While writing these lines, I am seeing my laptop and plants in front of me. Recalling this moment later will lead me to re-experience these things in my “mind’s eye”. I believe that by studying the neural and behavioural signals shared between such moments, we can learn how the brain constructs experiences in general – addressing a foundational question in cognitive neuroscience. Answering this question is important not only for understanding human cognition in health and disease, but also for advancing technologies such as human-like AI”, Nau explains.
Nau plans to use the VU Startpremie for costs related to personnel, data acquisition, and equipment. He will conduct pilot experiments in preparation for applying for a starter grant from the European Research Council (ERC) in 2025.
Douglas Parry
Computational communication scientist Douglas Parry investigates three key areas within media psychology: First, the ways in which adolescents and young adults use digital media; second, the potential effects of this behavior on their cognition, mental health, and well-being; and third, the knowledge and skills that enable them to thrive in a digital society. In addition to these topics, he also focuses on the methods we use to study media use and its effects, emphasizing the development and evaluation of new techniques for working with behavioral and digital tracking data, such as smartphone tracking, data donation, and APIs.
With the VU Start-up Grant, Parry aims to expand his research by exploring how mobile media can influence cognitive functioning, as well as deepening theoretical insights into how this media use can affect the psychosocial well-being of young people (both positively and negatively). Finally, he plans to study the effectiveness of behavioral and technological interventions in digital media use that reduce negative effects and enhance positive influences. Alongside the core of his theoretical and substantive research, Parry will build on his existing studies of digital tracking data by contributing to innovations in methodological tools within media psychology research.
Madeline Werthschulte
Environmental economist Madeline Werthschulte conducts research on human decision-making behavior in the context of the energy transition. Using experimental methods, she is interested in both understanding the mechanisms underlying household energy choices and designing policies that enhance energy efficiency. One key finding from her collaboration with Germany's largest energy efficiency program is the low participation rate among vulnerable population groups. In future work, she aims to gain better insights into the decision-making processes of these groups and identify strategies to increase their participation in such programs.
With the VU Startpremie, Werthschulte will organize an international workshop in Amsterdam, inviting experts from Germany, the U.S., leading environmental economists in Europe, and selected junior researchers from VU Amsterdam. This workshop will enhance the impact on the international environmental economic research field and provide junior researchers with the opportunity to network with prominent colleagues. She hopes the workshop will lead to the development of joint project proposals for submission to international funding bodies.
VU Startpremie
The VU Startpremie is a funding initiative to connect top scientific talent to VU Amsterdam. The grant is intended to provide additional support to international newcomers in further developing their talent and to position VU as an attractive employer for this target group. The VU Startpremie amounts to €30,000 per laureate and can be used at the laureate's discretion, such as for appointing a (student) assistant, a PhD candidate, acquiring databases, attending training or symposiums, etc. A maximum of three Startpremies are awarded each year.