Aleksandra Sherman

Aleksandra Sherman is an Associate Professor of Cognitive Science at Occidental College since 2014. She holds a B.A. from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. Her research focuses on interdisciplinary studies of art perception, multisensory integration, and the cognitive/emotional impacts of art engagement. Sherman employs mixed methods including EEG, eye-tracking, and qualitative analysis, collaborating with artists, neuroscientists, and philosophers.

• Education: B.A. Rutgers University, Ph.D. Northwestern University

Her research explores how senses interact during art perception, the role of empathy in museum experiences, and how multisensory illusions like the McGurk effect are influenced by individual differences. Current projects include a co-authored book 'Why the Arts Matter' and studies on auditory-visuo-motor learning. Sherman's work is funded by the NEA, NSF, NIH, and Templeton Foundation.

Her recent articles analyze art's contribution to scientific knowledge, mask effects on emotion perception, and multisensory sequence learning. She advises numerous student researchers and teaches courses like 'Art, Creativity, and Cognition' and 'Neuroimaging Methods.'

Advising highlights include mentoring students in multisensory perception studies and art-science collaborations. She leads a lab emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and culturally inclusive STEM education.