Website: http://sapir.psych.wisc.edu
Current research: My longstanding interest is in understanding the effect of language on human cognition. We have tackled this question using a variety of methods (psychophysical experiments, learning tasks, noninvasive brain stimulation), and across many domains (categorization, memory, visual perception, reasoning). These diverse approaches have a common goal: understanding the extent to which “normal” human cognition is augmented by our experience with, and use of language. The rise of large language models as systems whose broad cognitive performance owes itself almost entirely to natural language input is a powerful example of the in-principle power of natural language to instantiate many aspects of human intelligence, and we have several projects that involve using language models to gain insights into the mechanisms by which language affects human cognition. We also study language learning (with a particular focus on information theoretic approaches), and causes of language diversity and change (how do languages adapt to the differing needs of their users?).
Communication Prior to Applying: Prospective students who have specific questions about potential fit with the lab’s research goals, current projects, or about my mentoring approach should feel free to contact me via email at lupyan@wisc.edu. I do not typically have video calls with prospective applicants prior to reviewing applications. If you have questions about completing/submitting the UW Madison Psychology Department application itself, the best person to contact is our graduate coordinator, kbelt@psych.wisc.edu
Areas I’m Willing to Advise Students in: I am in the Perception, Cognition, and Cognitive Neuroscience area (PCCN), but I have also worked with students in the Developmental area. I am happy to co-advise students from other area groups provided we have sufficiently overlapping research interests.
How I Evaluate Applicants: Like other faculty in the Psychology Department, I evaluate prospective graduate students holistically. I consider all the possible ways in which a student’s applications material demonstrates excellence and a strong likelihood to thrive in the graduate program and in my lab.
- Academic preparation: Successful applicants to my lab typically have a strong academic record. I do not have a strict GPA cutoff, but I do evaluate the extent to which prospective students have shown excellence in the classroom. Although research is very different from classwork, in most respects it is harder. If a student struggles with regular academic classwork, it suggests that they may also struggle with research. More than grades, I look at the types of classes an applicant has taken. I pay particular attention to statistics, basic programming and more advanced computer science and mathematics (e.g., linear algebra). Knowledge of core issues in cognitive and developmental science and familiarity with philosophical issues in cognitive science are a plus. Although not a requirement, doing well in above-mentioned classes and doing well, bodes well for success in my lab.
- Research preparation: Successful applicants to my lab have tend to have previous research experience such as working as a research assistant in a psychology lab or in a related field. More competitive applicants have typically also conducted some type of independent research, whether a senior thesis, a summer independent research project, etc. The depth of your involvement in this project is more important to me than showing that you’ve worked in lots of labs.
- Motivation/drive: One difference between research and classwork is that the research requires much more self-direction and self-motivation. The ability to maintain self-motivation is, in my experience, a critical component of success in graduate school. Involvement in a thesis project, participation in a summer research experience or internship, are all ways to demonstrate this self-motivation and a commitment to conducting research.
- Personal statement: When reading your statement, I am imagining you as a practicing scientist. Most important therefore, is your ability to think as a scientist. What research questions grab you and why? What kind of knowledge do you want to create? I don’t expect or require these questions to be the same as those we’ve tackled in our recent papers, but I need to be able to see how your research agenda is alignable with what we do in my lab.
Other Information for Prospective Applicants: My research is increasingly influenced by the developments in generative AI (in particular, large language models). My interest in these models is largely confined to using them as model systems for understanding the human mind and more general principles of cognition.