Riitta Hari

1.1.2010 - 31.12.2014
psychology and neuroscience
TKK

TKK Professor Riitta Hari, recent recipient of the Finnish Science Award, is among the absolute top researchers in her field. Her research project is about developing ‘two-person neuroscience’ the focus is on how the human mind and brain are shaped in social interaction with other people, allowing for an investigation of brain function during natural interaction.

Professor Hari is interested to explore the synchronization of brain and body functions during social interaction and at the same time to develop new types of analysis. The results will help to improve understanding of different types of social interaction (such as teaching and therapy) as well as disturbances of interaction (such as autism). Furthermore, this approach could pave the way to completely new perspectives on the development of the human mind and how it can be repaired.

Professor Hari’s projects are considered to represent important steps towards a more natural setting for the investigation of the human brain and human behaviour. Her work also stands to have important clinical applications, particularly in the treatment of autism and schizophrenia.