Ongoing Projects
The Perception of Softness from Material Sounds with Different Levels of Visual Representation, METU BAP International Inter-University Collaborative Research Project with Assoc. Prof. Masataka Sawayama at Hokkaido University (Grant No: Ortaklık-104-2026-11990), 2026-2028.
We will focus on how material sounds influence what we see and feel, and wheter this effect varies with the amount of visual information available. What makes this project unique is that it combines vision, sound, and language in a single framework, compares these effects across Turkish and Japanese, and tests whether Vision-Language AI models can reproduce human perceptual jusgments. By integrating behavioural experiments with computational modelling, the project will reveal which aspects of multisensory perception are universal and which are language-specific.
EXPLORA: Perception of materials, objects and spaces through active EXPLORAtion, HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN (Grant No: 101226908), 2026-2030.
Cultural modulation in the perception of natural material-exploration sounds represented through sound symbolism: We will investigate how both vocal (sound-symbolic words) and non-vocal (naturally occurring material sounds) auditory cues can enhance material perception during active, multisensory exploration. To achieve this, we will identify fundamental material sounds both from nature and language that are essential for material recognition during active haptic exploration. We will use immersive technologies to understand cultural universals and differences in material perception by tracking how people explore and adapt to their multisensory environment.
The Augmentative Role of Auditory and Visual Signals in Haptic Material Perception, TÜBİTAK 1001 Grant (Grant No: 225K071),
Technological developments in surface haptics have introduced electrovibration for tactile feedback on touchscreens. While not yet ubiquitous in consumer electronics, these sensory displays are increasingly used in laboratory settings, offering novel avenues for exploring the interplay of multisensory signals in surface haptics. This project aims to investigate roughness perception using a TANVAS Touch screen, which facilitates tactile stimulation via electrovibration. Furthermore, we will examine the facilitative effects of visual and auditory cues on tactile roughness perception through a series of multisensory experiments.
Finished Projects
Visual Haptic Material Perception through Sound Symbolism, TÜBİTAK 1001 (Grant No: 122K914), 2023-2026.
Sound-symbolism in relation to objects has been researched often as the effect of sound frequency on perceived shapes. People associate higher frequency sounds with angular shapes and lower frequency sounds with round shapes, known as the Bouba/Kiki effect. Onomatopoeic words mimic the sound of materials that they describe. Turkish language has a rich lexicon of onomatopoeic words that are frequently used in daily conversation (e.g., şap şap -splash, tıkır tıkır -rattling). Our goal is to test whether similar associations exist for perceiving materials through different sensory channels. The project aims to reveal unique sound-material associations in Turkish onomatopoeic words and test whether the sound symbolism effect go beyond shapes to surface material qualities. We also aim to test whether we can use onomatopoeic words to selectively alter perceived material qualities in a top down fashion.
- Kılıç, F. & Dövencioğlu, D. N. (2024) Visual Softness Perception Can Be Manipulated Through Exploratory Procedures, Perception
- Nalbantoğlu, H., Hazır, B.M., Dövencioğlu, D.N. (2023) Selectively manipulating softness perception of materials through sound symbolism. Frontiers in Psychology.
Material Properties of Shape Dynamics, Research Universities Support Program (ADEP Grant No: 11273), 2023-2026.
Visual Haptic Material Perception and Turkish Sound Symbolism in Children and Adults, TÜBİTAK 1002 (Grant No: 223K919), 2024-2025.
Temporal Dynamics of Numerosity Perception, TÜBİTAK 1002 (Advisor, PI: Aslı Kılıç, Grant No: 124K725), 2024-2025.
The Role of Cognitive Processes in Perception of Multidimensional Softness, ODTÜ BAP Starting Grant (17/01/2022, Grant No: AGEP-104-2022-10910)
Studying Body Image in Female Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, , TÜBİTAK 1002 Grant (Advisor, PI: Prof Dr Devrim Akdemir - Hacettepe Uni, Grant No: 120S197), 2021.
The Role of Motion and Surface Material in Three-Dimensional Shape Perception,TÜBİTAK 2232 Postdoctoral Reintegration Grant (No: 114C110), 2014-2016.
adımODTÜ Undergraduate Research Projects
Do top-down authorship labels (“AI-generated” vs. “Human-created”) influence perceptual experience of artworks, beyond sensory judgments?, Yağmur Denizli, Proje ID: P4-2, 2026.
Predicting Attentional Behavior Performance with Pupil Dilation, Ayten Yüksek, Proje ID: P14-4, 2026.
The Impact of Familiarity and Handedness on Grasping Affordance, Alper Artan, 2025.
Exploring the Formation of Psuedo-Onomatopeic Words in Multimodal Material Perception, İlknur Kaya, 2025.
Multimodal Granularity Perception Across Auditory and Haptic Channels, Renk Kaya, C6, 2024
Temporal Properties of Numerosity Perception, Zelal Eltaş, Doç. Dr. Aslı Kılıç Özhan (PI), 2023
Active Exploration of Materials with Partially Restricted Hand Movements, Betül Ayça Coşkun, J9, 2022.
Effect of Haptic Exploratory Processes on Online Shopping Experience, Fatma Çelebi, Hümeyra Aybüke Bilir, İzel Deniz Vardar, E8, 2021.
Effect of Auditory Cues on Object Perception, Ömer Faruk Yıldıran, E5, 2021 -The Global Undergraduate Awards Highly Commended Entrants Award