Perception and Action Research on Synesthesia

Associate Professor Nina Rich leads research on synesthesia at Macquarie University's Perception and Action Research Centre. Synesthesia refers to the phenomenon where one type of stimulation evokes sensations in another sense. It is a mixing of the senses that can encompass various experiences. For example, some people with auditory-visual synesthesia have specific visual experiences in response to certain sounds. Letters and numbers can also evoke distinct colors and shapes for synesthetes. Rich's research investigates the brain mechanisms behind synesthesia and its similarities and differences with other forms of perception.