Event overview
1st Whitehead Lecture of 2020. Prof. Jurģis Šķilters from Riga, Latvia.
Full title: Linking relational and absolute: Constraints in spatial cognition.
Abstract:
In my talk, I will, first, explain Eigenplace function that links relational (topological and geometric) spatial information with representation of exact locations in real world environments. I will argue that topological and geometric relations are constrained by functional ones that are generated in everyday interaction with spatial objects. Experimental evidence regarding functional constraints will be provided.
In the final part of my talk, I will argue that relational topological units are primary in respect to geometric ones and will define a topological grouping principle. Some applications in the areas of computation and visual perception will be provided and some research problems will be briefly discussed.
Bio:
Professor Jurģis Šķilters is the Chair and Principal Investigator at the Laboratory for Perceptual and Cognitive Systems at the Faculty of Computing, University of Latvia. He is also the Director of Ph.D. Program in Psychology, University of Latvia.
His main research interests are visual perception and spatial cognition. After obtaining his doctoral degree from the University of Mainz, Germany, he has been conducting research and lecturing in several countries (Latvia, Italy, USA, Israel, Norway, Belgium to mention just a few). He has been visiting professor in USA and Italy. During the last 15 years, he has been a director or co-director of several large international European and transatlantic research projects. Currently he is a PI in an EU-Horizon ITN: e-Ladda (Early Language Development in the Digital Age) coordinated by NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.
Since 2004 he is the Editor-In-Chief: The Baltic International Yearbook of Cognition, Logic and Communication. Prof. Šķilters is the founder of the first international Cognitive Sciences center in the Baltic region. 2019 he was the Co-Director of the Program Committee of the European Summer School in Logic, Language, and Information.
He is author or co-author of more than 100 peer reviewed publications and volumes. Most recently (2019) he has co-edited (together with Michael Glanzberg and Nora Newcombe) Events and Objects in Perception, Cognition, and Language and 2016 (together with Susan Rothstein) Number: Cognitive, Semantic and Crosslinguistic Approaches. 2015 he edited (together with Michael Glanzberg and Peter Svenonius) Perspectives on Spatial Cognition. Manhattan, KS: New Prairie Press.
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Jan 2020 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm |
Accessibility
If you are attending an event and need the College to help with any mobility requirements you may have, please contact the event organiser in advance to ensure we can accommodate your needs.
