Vivian Paulun
@vivianpaulun.bsky.social
Cognitive neuroscientist studying how we see and think about the physical world.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
https://paulunlab.psych.wisc.edu/
she/her
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
https://paulunlab.psych.wisc.edu/
she/her
🚨I am looking for a POSTDOC, LAB MANAGER/TECH and GRAD STUDENTS to join my new lab in beautiful Madison, WI.
We study how our brains perceive and represent the physical world around us using behavioral, computational, and neuroimaging methods.
paulunlab.psych.wisc.edu
#VisionScience #NeuroSkyence
We study how our brains perceive and represent the physical world around us using behavioral, computational, and neuroimaging methods.
paulunlab.psych.wisc.edu
#VisionScience #NeuroSkyence
November 17, 2025 at 9:43 PM
🚨I am looking for a POSTDOC, LAB MANAGER/TECH and GRAD STUDENTS to join my new lab in beautiful Madison, WI.
We study how our brains perceive and represent the physical world around us using behavioral, computational, and neuroimaging methods.
paulunlab.psych.wisc.edu
#VisionScience #NeuroSkyence
We study how our brains perceive and represent the physical world around us using behavioral, computational, and neuroimaging methods.
paulunlab.psych.wisc.edu
#VisionScience #NeuroSkyence
Check out EWoK, Elements of World Knowledge!🌎
Finally out in TACL:
🌎EWoK (Elements of World Knowledge)🌎: A cognition-inspired framework for evaluating basic world knowledge in language models
tl;dr: LLMs learn basic social concepts way easier than physical&spatial concepts
Paper: direct.mit.edu/tacl/article...
Website: ewok-core.github.io
🌎EWoK (Elements of World Knowledge)🌎: A cognition-inspired framework for evaluating basic world knowledge in language models
tl;dr: LLMs learn basic social concepts way easier than physical&spatial concepts
Paper: direct.mit.edu/tacl/article...
Website: ewok-core.github.io
October 22, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Check out EWoK, Elements of World Knowledge!🌎
Excited to see this fantastic spotlight by Sue Hespos and colleagues covering our recent paper on the neural representation of Things and Stuff 🧠🌊
Online Now: A world of things and stuff
A world of things and stuff
It appears simple that every entity in our perceptual array is a thing (object) or stuff (substance). Yet, a recent article by Paulun and colleagues reveals that there are many puzzles to be solved about how we perform this seemingly simple perception.
dlvr.it
October 8, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Excited to see this fantastic spotlight by Sue Hespos and colleagues covering our recent paper on the neural representation of Things and Stuff 🧠🌊
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
We’re looking for a postdoc to join our Max Planck group in Germany some time in 2026. If you have computational and/or neuroimaging expertise, and are interested in questions intersecting perception and cognition, please reach out! I’ll also be happy to chat at the #Bernsteinconference this week.
September 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
We’re looking for a postdoc to join our Max Planck group in Germany some time in 2026. If you have computational and/or neuroimaging expertise, and are interested in questions intersecting perception and cognition, please reach out! I’ll also be happy to chat at the #Bernsteinconference this week.
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
::slowly stands while clapping::
September 10, 2025 at 11:07 PM
::slowly stands while clapping::
Come join our department!
The Dept. of Psychology at the U. Wisconsin–Madison has an opening for an Assistant Professor in the area of Computational Neuroscience and/or Cognitive Science, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI).
Domain of behavior or cognition is open. Details at jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/assista...
Domain of behavior or cognition is open. Details at jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/assista...
Assistant Professor of Psychology - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:FacultyEmployment Type:Regula...
jobs.wisc.edu
September 9, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Come join our department!
Super excited to share our new article: “Dissociable cortical regions represent things and stuff in the human brain” with @nancykanwisher.bsky.social, @rtpramod.bsky.social and @joshtenenbaum.bsky.social
Video abstract: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0XR...
Paper: authors.elsevier.com/a/1lWxv3QW8S...
Video abstract: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0XR...
Paper: authors.elsevier.com/a/1lWxv3QW8S...
Things and Stuff: How the brain distinguishes oozing fluids from solid objects
YouTube video by McGovern Institute
www.youtube.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Super excited to share our new article: “Dissociable cortical regions represent things and stuff in the human brain” with @nancykanwisher.bsky.social, @rtpramod.bsky.social and @joshtenenbaum.bsky.social
Video abstract: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0XR...
Paper: authors.elsevier.com/a/1lWxv3QW8S...
Video abstract: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0XR...
Paper: authors.elsevier.com/a/1lWxv3QW8S...
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
Today is your last chance to vote:
vote.illusionoftheyear.com
vote.illusionoftheyear.com
June 27, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Today is your last chance to vote:
vote.illusionoftheyear.com
vote.illusionoftheyear.com
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
Thrilled to announce our new publication titled 'Decoding predicted future states from the brain's physics engine' with @emiecz.bsky.social, Cyn X. Fang, @nancykanwisher.bsky.social, @joshtenenbaum.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
(1/n)
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
(1/n)
Decoding predicted future states from the brain’s “physics engine”
Using fMRI in humans, this study provides evidence for future state prediction in brain regions involved in physical reasoning.
www.science.org
June 17, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Thrilled to announce our new publication titled 'Decoding predicted future states from the brain's physics engine' with @emiecz.bsky.social, Cyn X. Fang, @nancykanwisher.bsky.social, @joshtenenbaum.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
(1/n)
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
(1/n)
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
I’m excited to announce that I’m recruiting for a fully-funded 3.5-year PhD position in my lab in Southampton (UK). For details and to apply, see here: www.southampton.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Next Generation Ophthalmic Testing: “Continuous Psychophysics” for Rapid and User-Friendly Assessment of Visual, Movement, and Cognitive Disorders
Discover more about our research project: Next Generation Ophthalmic Testing: “Continuous Psychophysics” for Rapid and User-Friendly Assessment of Visual, Movement, and Cognitive Disorders at the U...
www.southampton.ac.uk
May 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I’m excited to announce that I’m recruiting for a fully-funded 3.5-year PhD position in my lab in Southampton (UK). For details and to apply, see here: www.southampton.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Starts in one hour!
Kick off #VSS2025 with our symposium “25 Years of Seeing ‘Stuff’—Advances and Challenges in Material Perception” in Talk Room 2 on Friday morning 10:30am – 12:30pm.
We have a great lineup of speakers who will share deep insights and fun demos! 👀🧠🌊
@vssmtg.bsky.social #neuroskyence #visionscience
We have a great lineup of speakers who will share deep insights and fun demos! 👀🧠🌊
@vssmtg.bsky.social #neuroskyence #visionscience
May 16, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Starts in one hour!
Kick off #VSS2025 with our symposium “25 Years of Seeing ‘Stuff’—Advances and Challenges in Material Perception” in Talk Room 2 on Friday morning 10:30am – 12:30pm.
We have a great lineup of speakers who will share deep insights and fun demos! 👀🧠🌊
@vssmtg.bsky.social #neuroskyence #visionscience
We have a great lineup of speakers who will share deep insights and fun demos! 👀🧠🌊
@vssmtg.bsky.social #neuroskyence #visionscience
May 15, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Kick off #VSS2025 with our symposium “25 Years of Seeing ‘Stuff’—Advances and Challenges in Material Perception” in Talk Room 2 on Friday morning 10:30am – 12:30pm.
We have a great lineup of speakers who will share deep insights and fun demos! 👀🧠🌊
@vssmtg.bsky.social #neuroskyence #visionscience
We have a great lineup of speakers who will share deep insights and fun demos! 👀🧠🌊
@vssmtg.bsky.social #neuroskyence #visionscience
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
Proud to announce our primer on "Ten principles for reliable, efficient, and adaptable coding in psychology and cognitive neuroscience"
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
This primer is for beginners to get started, advanced programmers to improve, and PIs.
#psychology #psychsci #cogsci #neuroskyence
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
This primer is for beginners to get started, advanced programmers to improve, and PIs.
#psychology #psychsci #cogsci #neuroskyence
Ten principles for reliable, efficient, and adaptable coding in psychology and cognitive neuroscience - Communications Psychology
Programming is essential for modern research in neuroscience and psychology, but it can quickly become a source of frustration and error. This Primer introduces ten practical principles guiding resear...
www.nature.com
April 15, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Proud to announce our primer on "Ten principles for reliable, efficient, and adaptable coding in psychology and cognitive neuroscience"
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
This primer is for beginners to get started, advanced programmers to improve, and PIs.
#psychology #psychsci #cogsci #neuroskyence
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
This primer is for beginners to get started, advanced programmers to improve, and PIs.
#psychology #psychsci #cogsci #neuroskyence
Come and join us!
I’m hiring a full-time lab tech for two years starting May/June. Strong coding skills required, ML a plus. Our research on the human brain uses fMRI, ANNs, intracranial recording, and behavior. A great stepping stone to grad school. Apply here:
careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/cl...
......
careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/cl...
......
Technical Associate I, Kanwisher Lab
MIT - Technical Associate I, Kanwisher Lab - Cambridge MA 02139
careers.peopleclick.com
March 26, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Come and join us!
Challenging times to start a lab, but I’m excited to begin this new chapter! 🧠👩🔬🎓
Grateful to @thetransmitter.bsky.social for featuring me for this month's “Liftoff”!
Grateful to @thetransmitter.bsky.social for featuring me for this month's “Liftoff”!
This month’s “Liftoff” features @jocelynbreton.bsky.social discussing the importance of patience when opening a lab. And @vivianpaulun.bsky.social shares how she'll use a traditional German custom in her lab to foster a supportive and uplifting culture.
#neuroskyence
bit.ly/4hFNosx
#neuroskyence
bit.ly/4hFNosx
Liftoff: New lab alerts
Learn about early-career scientists starting their own labs.
www.thetransmitter.org
March 15, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Challenging times to start a lab, but I’m excited to begin this new chapter! 🧠👩🔬🎓
Grateful to @thetransmitter.bsky.social for featuring me for this month's “Liftoff”!
Grateful to @thetransmitter.bsky.social for featuring me for this month's “Liftoff”!
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
Proud to speak at the StandUpForScience rally in Boston today!
March 8, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Proud to speak at the StandUpForScience rally in Boston today!
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
Hello! I'm looking to hire a post-doc, to start this Summer or Fall.
It'd be great if you could share this widely with people you think might be interested.
More details on the position & how to apply: bit.ly/cocodev_post...
Official posting here: academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/14723
It'd be great if you could share this widely with people you think might be interested.
More details on the position & how to apply: bit.ly/cocodev_post...
Official posting here: academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/14723
February 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Hello! I'm looking to hire a post-doc, to start this Summer or Fall.
It'd be great if you could share this widely with people you think might be interested.
More details on the position & how to apply: bit.ly/cocodev_post...
Official posting here: academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/14723
It'd be great if you could share this widely with people you think might be interested.
More details on the position & how to apply: bit.ly/cocodev_post...
Official posting here: academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/14723
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
Friends,
Sara is recovering well from surgery. Her cancer has progressed to a higher stage and needs more aggressive treatments. Please keep sharing/donating to help us make these crucial treatments possible, and thank you deeply for your love and support! gofund.me/357afe0a
Sara is recovering well from surgery. Her cancer has progressed to a higher stage and needs more aggressive treatments. Please keep sharing/donating to help us make these crucial treatments possible, and thank you deeply for your love and support! gofund.me/357afe0a
Donate to Sara's Brain Cancer Treatments, organized by Guido Maiello
Dear Family and Friends, Old and New,
We are the family of Sara Joy Hawkins, and this… Guido Maiello needs your support for Sara's Brain Cancer Treatments
gofund.me
February 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Friends,
Sara is recovering well from surgery. Her cancer has progressed to a higher stage and needs more aggressive treatments. Please keep sharing/donating to help us make these crucial treatments possible, and thank you deeply for your love and support! gofund.me/357afe0a
Sara is recovering well from surgery. Her cancer has progressed to a higher stage and needs more aggressive treatments. Please keep sharing/donating to help us make these crucial treatments possible, and thank you deeply for your love and support! gofund.me/357afe0a
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
One week left to apply!
My lab has an opening for a postdoctoral fellow to work on our ERC consolidator grant SEGMENT. German language skills are a requirement due some teaching obligations. Please share!
www.career.tu-darmstadt.de/HPv3.Jobs/TU...
www.career.tu-darmstadt.de/HPv3.Jobs/TU...
Wiss. Mitarbeiter:in (w/m/d) - ERC Grant, Projekt am Institut für Psychologie - AG Perception
Die TU Darmstadt steht für exzellente und relevante Wissenschaft. Die tiefgreifenden globalen Veränderungsprozesse – von Energiewende bis zu Künstlicher Intelligenz – gestalten wir durch herausragende...
www.career.tu-darmstadt.de
January 21, 2025 at 3:53 PM
One week left to apply!
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
(1/3) 🌟New preprint with @lynnkasorensen.bsky.social and Jim DiCarlo
When animals learn new object discrimination tasks, how much does their IT cortex change?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
When animals learn new object discrimination tasks, how much does their IT cortex change?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The effects of object category training on the responses of macaque inferior temporal cortex are consistent with performance-optimizing updates within a visual hierarchy
How does the primate brain coordinate plasticity to support its remarkable ability to learn object categories? To address this question, we measured the consequences of category learning on the macaqu...
www.biorxiv.org
December 30, 2024 at 5:58 PM
(1/3) 🌟New preprint with @lynnkasorensen.bsky.social and Jim DiCarlo
When animals learn new object discrimination tasks, how much does their IT cortex change?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
When animals learn new object discrimination tasks, how much does their IT cortex change?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
My friends Sara and Guido are facing a devastating brain cancer diagnosis.
To help cover the costs of experimental treatments for Sara that are not covered by insurance, please consider donating if you can and sharing this with others who might be able to help.
gofund.me/5505ddf2
To help cover the costs of experimental treatments for Sara that are not covered by insurance, please consider donating if you can and sharing this with others who might be able to help.
gofund.me/5505ddf2
Donate to Sara's Brain Cancer Treatments, organized by Guido Maiello
Dear Family and Friends, Old and New,
We are the family of Sara Joy Hawkins, and this… Guido Maiello needs your support for Sara's Brain Cancer Treatments
gofund.me
December 27, 2024 at 5:44 PM
My friends Sara and Guido are facing a devastating brain cancer diagnosis.
To help cover the costs of experimental treatments for Sara that are not covered by insurance, please consider donating if you can and sharing this with others who might be able to help.
gofund.me/5505ddf2
To help cover the costs of experimental treatments for Sara that are not covered by insurance, please consider donating if you can and sharing this with others who might be able to help.
gofund.me/5505ddf2
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
hooray, it's out!
"Electrophysiology Reveals That Intuitive Physics Guides Visual Tracking and Working Memory"
(in Open Mind)
(by Balaban, Smith, Tenenbaum, and me)
direct.mit.edu/opmi/article...
"Electrophysiology Reveals That Intuitive Physics Guides Visual Tracking and Working Memory"
(in Open Mind)
(by Balaban, Smith, Tenenbaum, and me)
direct.mit.edu/opmi/article...
December 16, 2024 at 1:57 PM
hooray, it's out!
"Electrophysiology Reveals That Intuitive Physics Guides Visual Tracking and Working Memory"
(in Open Mind)
(by Balaban, Smith, Tenenbaum, and me)
direct.mit.edu/opmi/article...
"Electrophysiology Reveals That Intuitive Physics Guides Visual Tracking and Working Memory"
(in Open Mind)
(by Balaban, Smith, Tenenbaum, and me)
direct.mit.edu/opmi/article...
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
@fovea-vs.bsky.social is on Bluesky now! Follow FoVea to learn more about ways we can advance the visibility, impact, and success of women in vision science!
December 12, 2024 at 1:56 AM
@fovea-vs.bsky.social is on Bluesky now! Follow FoVea to learn more about ways we can advance the visibility, impact, and success of women in vision science!
Reposted by Vivian Paulun
OK If we are moving to Bluesky I am rescuing my favourite ever twitter thread (Jan 2019).
The renamed:
Bluesky-sized history of neuroscience (biased by my interests)
The renamed:
Bluesky-sized history of neuroscience (biased by my interests)
December 1, 2024 at 8:29 PM
OK If we are moving to Bluesky I am rescuing my favourite ever twitter thread (Jan 2019).
The renamed:
Bluesky-sized history of neuroscience (biased by my interests)
The renamed:
Bluesky-sized history of neuroscience (biased by my interests)