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Supervision

Supervisory Structure​

The TTF-DDG operates under the guidance of 7 Principal Investigators (PIs) who provide strategic oversight and scientific direction for our technical work within the NCCR Evolving Language.

About Transversal Task Forces (TTFs)​

Transversal Task Forces are transdisciplinary research groups that provide specialized support to the NCCR Evolving Language on specific subjects. The TTF-DDG (Digital Data Generation) is one of six TTFs established to support the research community with cross-cutting expertise and services.

Role of Supervising PIs​

Our supervisory team ensures that the TTF-DDG:

  • Aligns technical development with research objectives
  • Prioritizes work according to NCCR strategic goals
  • Maintains scientific rigor in task implementations
  • Coordinates effectively across work packages
  • Allocates resources appropriately
  • Ensures quality and reproducibility of research software
  • Develops computer-based tasks for the research community
  • Maintains a searchable task database

Supervisory PIs​

The TTF-DDG is supervised by seven Principal Investigators representing diverse expertise across cognitive science, neuroscience, linguistics, and evolutionary biology:

Prof. Daphne Bavelier​

  • Affiliation: University of Geneva
  • Research Focus: Cognitive neuroscience, learning and plasticity
  • Role in TTF-DDG: Strategic oversight of cognitive task development

Prof. Valentina Borghesani​

  • Affiliation: University of Geneva
  • Research Focus: Cognitive neuroscience, semantic processing
  • Role in TTF-DDG: Neuroimaging task development guidance

Prof. Silvia Brem​

  • Affiliation: University of Zurich
  • Research Focus: Developmental cognitive neuroscience, reading development
  • Role in TTF-DDG: Developmental assessment oversight

Prof. Narly Golestani​

  • Affiliation: University of Geneva
  • Research Focus: Speech and language processing, brain imaging
  • Role in TTF-DDG: Speech and auditory task development

Prof. Gerhard Jäger​

  • Affiliation: University of Tübingen
  • Research Focus: Computational linguistics, language evolution
  • Role in TTF-DDG: Computational approaches and technical standards

Prof. Marina Laganaro​

  • Affiliation: University of Geneva
  • Research Focus: Psycholinguistics, language production
  • Role in TTF-DDG: Psycholinguistic task design and validation

Prof. Klaus Zuberbühler​

  • Affiliation: University of Neuchâtel
  • Research Focus: Comparative cognition, primate communication
  • Role in TTF-DDG: Comparative and non-human primate task development

Governance Model​

Decision Making​

The supervisory team provides guidance on:

  • Major technical directions and priorities
  • Resource allocation across projects
  • New task development initiatives
  • Quality standards and best practices
  • Collaboration with work packages and external partners
  • Integration with other TTFs and NCCR infrastructure

Cross-TTF Collaboration​

The TTF-DDG coordinates with other Transversal Task Forces:

  • TTF Ethics: Ensuring ethical considerations in task design
  • TTF Concepts: Aligning theoretical frameworks across tasks
  • TTF DataScience: Integrating data management and analysis pipelines
  • TTF Instrumentation: Coordinating hardware and recording technologies

Meeting Structure​

The supervisory team meets regularly to:

  • Review ongoing projects and priorities
  • Evaluate new task proposals from work packages
  • Ensure alignment with NCCR strategic objectives
  • Coordinate resource allocation
  • Assess quality and progress of deliverables

Communication Channels​

The permanent team member (TTF-DDG coordinator) maintains regular communication with:

  • The supervisory PIs through scheduled meetings and updates
  • Work package leaders for project coordination
  • Other TTF members for cross-functional collaboration
  • NCCR leadership for strategic alignment

Integration with NCCR Structure​

The TTF-DDG supervision structure ensures:

  • Coordination with broader NCCR Evolving Language governance
  • Alignment with work package objectives across all research areas
  • Efficient communication across the transdisciplinary research network
  • Responsive adaptation to emerging technical needs
  • Support for researchers at all NCCR institutions
  • Maintenance of high-quality, reproducible research tools

Our Mission within the NCCR​

As one of the six Transversal Task Forces, the TTF-DDG serves the entire NCCR community by:

  1. Developing Computer-Based Tasks: Creating and modernizing experimental paradigms for research across biological, linguistic, and cultural evolution
  2. Building the Task Library: Maintaining a searchable database of validated tasks accessible to all work packages
  3. Providing Technical Expertise: Supporting researchers with implementation, adaptation, and deployment of digital tasks
  4. Ensuring Quality Standards: Implementing testing, documentation, and quality assurance practices
  5. Fostering Collaboration: Facilitating task sharing and standardization across research groups

Learn More​

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