Dr. David Alais

Professor

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Biography

David Alais is a Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney. His primary research interest lies in cross-modal perception, particularly how the brain integrates sensory information from audition and vision. He employs human psychophysical experiments to assess observers' perceptions of sounds and images, focusing on the spatial and temporal aspects of these sensory modalities. His work examines the processes by which the brain resolves audiovisual conflicts, such as those found in binocular rivalry, where alternating perceptions from both eyes shape conscious experience. Alais's lab also explores unisensory perception and the intriguing interplay between auditory and visual stimuli, often in collaboration with the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory. He has recently focused on how temporal filtering influences human visual perception, investigating the perceptual dynamics of continuously changing visuals in natural contexts. Alais's contributions to the field include authored works such as "Binocular Rivalry" and numerous research grants that further explore the intricacies of perception and sensory interaction.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2013-01-01 — Present

University of Sydney • Sydney, Australia

Leading research and teaching in the field of psychology, focusing on sensory perception and interaction.

QEII Research Fellow

2008-01-01 — 2012-01-01

University of Sydney • Sydney, Australia

Conducted research on visual perception and multisensory integration.

Australian Research Fellow

2003-01-01 — 2005-01-01

University of Sydney • Sydney, Australia

Focused on human perception and its underlying neurophysiological processes.

Marie Curie Fellow

2000-01-01 — 2002-01-01

European Commission, Institute of Neurophysiology • Pisa, Italy

Studied cross-modal interactions in sensory perception.

Research Fellow

1998-01-01 — 2000-01-01

Human Frontiers Science Programme, Collège de France • Paris, France

Investigated auditory-visual interactions in perception.

Postdoctoral Fellow

1996-01-01 — 1998-01-01

Vanderbilt Vision Research Center, Vanderbilt University • USA

Researched the mechanisms of vision and perception.

Requirements for University of Sydney

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:17
Writing
Required:19
Speaking
Required:17
Total
Required:85
PTE
Listening
Required:54
Reading
Required:54
Writing
Required:54
Speaking
Required:54
Overall
Required:61
Prerequisites
A master's degree with a research component or a bachelor's degree with first or second-class honours. Demonstrated research experience and capability.
Application Checklist
  • Academic transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Research proposal (1000+ words)
  • Two academic referee reports
  • Evidence of residency status
  • Written statement of support from potential supervisor
Specialization Notes

This entry applies to Faculty of Science PhD programs including Departments such as Life and Environmental Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and Statistics.