Stephan Getzmann

Stephan Getzmann is a Professor and Head of the "Aging" networking group at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environments and Human Factors (IfADo), affiliated with TU Dortmund University. His research focuses on cognitive aging, auditory perception, and neuroscience, particularly examining age-related changes in cognitive functions in work and daily life contexts.

Dr. Getzmann completed his doctorate in psychology (Dr. phil.) summa cum laude in 2004. He earned his habilitation (Venia Legendi for Psychology) from the Faculty of Human Sciences and Theology at TU Dortmund University in 2010. Prior to this, he completed studies in both psychology (diploma with distinction) at the universities of Duisburg and Wuppertal, and electrical engineering (diploma) at the University of Duisburg.

Professor Getzmann's research interests center on cognitive aging, particularly examining how aging affects auditory perception, attention, and cognitive control in complex environments. His work investigates age-related differences in auditory spatial processing, multi-talker speech perception, and the impact of aging on cognitive functions in work settings. He employs neurophysiological methods including EEG and ERP to examine the neural correlates of cognitive processes across the lifespan. His research has important implications for understanding cognitive changes in older adults and developing interventions to support cognitive health in aging populations.

Analysis of Professor Getzmann's recent publications reveals a strong focus on aging and cognitive neuroscience, with particular emphasis on auditory perception, attentional processes, and cognitive control across the lifespan. His work often employs EEG/ERP methodologies to examine neural correlates of cognitive functions. A notable trend is the investigation of how aging affects performance in complex, real-world scenarios such as driving and multi-talker speech perception ("cocktail party" situations). His research frequently involves large cohort studies examining age-related differences in cognitive function.

Professor Getzmann leads the "Aging" networking group at IfADo, collaborating with researchers across multiple disciplines including psychology, neuroscience, immunology, and toxicology. His work is supported by various funding sources, including the German Research Foundation which previously funded his independent research position from 2007-2015.