Dr. Charles Spence

Biography

Professor Charles Spence heads the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at the University of Oxford. His research interests center on how people perceive the world, particularly how the brain processes information from various senses to form rich multisensory experiences. He aims to understand the human mind, contributing to the design of multisensory foods, products, interfaces, and environments for the future. His work has significant implications for the design of household products, mobile devices, and food consumption environments. Over the years, Charles has consulted for multiple multinational corporations on aspects of multisensory design, packaging, and branding, and he has investigated human-computer interaction challenges in Crew Work Stations for the European Space Shuttle. His current research endeavors include designing foods that maximally stimulate the senses in collaboration with renowned chef Heston Blumenthal and developing auditory and tactile warning signals for interface operators in partnership with Toyota. Additionally, he is exploring the impact of indoor environments on mood, well-being, and performance together with ICI. Charles has published over 500 articles in leading scientific journals throughout his career, has received numerous awards, including the 10th Experimental Psychology Society Prize and the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, and was mentioned in the 2008 IG Nobel Prize for his pioneering work on the ‘sonic crisp’.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards