I supervise bachelor’s and master’s theses in cognitive science, psychology, linguistics and related programs. Below are broad topic areas, not fixed projects. Within each area, we develop a concrete research question together, based on your interests, your methodological background and the time available.
Please read this page before contacting me. It answers most questions about topics, requirements and the application process.
1. Embodied and grounded meaning
How is the meaning of words grounded in perception, action and bodily experience? Possible directions include sensorimotor features of concrete and abstract concepts and how context and task shape which aspects of meaning are activated.
2. Motor signatures of cognition
Our hands reveal more about thinking than we might expect. Using continuous grip and holding force recordings, we can track cognitive processes during language comprehension, number processing or mental arithmetic, even without an overt motor response. Theses can be experimental or focus on analyzing existing force data, including machine-learning approaches.
3. Space, number, time, and valence
Do we arrange numbers and time concepts from left to right? Do we associate “good” and “bad” with particular body sides? Projects can examine spatial-numerical associations, the mental timeline, or space-valence mappings, and how flexible and culture-dependent these associations are.
4. Individual differences
Embodied effects are often reported as group averages, yet people differ considerably. Projects can investigate how age, cognitive profiles, language background or bodily awareness modulate effects, and how reliable classic experimental effects are at the individual level.
5. Psycholinguistic norms and databases
Word ratings, e.g. for sensory modality, manipulability or imageability, are a key resource for language research. Projects can involve collecting new norms (for example for German), comparing norms across languages, or exploring how these variables explain word processing.
6. Language models and human language processing
To what extent do large language models capture the sensorimotor aspects of word meaning that humans report? Projects can compare LLM-derived estimates with human ratings or behavioral data.
7. Open data, reanalysis and meta-analysis
Not every thesis needs new data collection. Many relevant datasets are openly available, and reanalyzing them or combining studies in a meta-analysis can lead to excellent theses.
Depending on the project, you can work with:
• behavioral experiments (lab-based or online)
• grip force recording
• rating studies and questionnaires
• secondary analyses of open datasets
Analyses are typically done in R, e.g. linear mixed-effects models, factor analysis or meta-analytic methods. Prior experience is helpful but not required; willingness to learn is.
I value open and reproducible research: documented analysis code, and shared materials and data whenever possible. My evaluation criteria are transparent from the start. You can find them, together with a downloadable template, on my thesis evaluation page.
In return, you can expect regular meetings, timely feedback and support in turning your thesis into a conference presentation or publication if the results allow.
I prefer theses to be written in English; German is possible in some cases.
Please send an email to alex.miklashevsky@uni-potsdam.de with the subject line “Thesis inquiry: [BA/MA], [your program]”. Include:
The topic area(s) from the list above that interest you, and why. A few sentences are enough.
Your program and university, and whether you need an external supervisor or second examiner.
Your planned start date and the official time frame of your thesis.
Your CV and a current transcript of records.
Your methods background, e.g. statistics courses, R or Python, experience with experiments.