You are invited to this week’s special talk organized by the Department of Psychology, featuring Dr. Nilsu Atılgan.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
Title: Understanding Reading for All: Cognitive Mechanisms, Constraints, and Adaptive Text Formats
Speaker: Dr. Nilsu Atılgan
Date: 14.03.2025, Friday
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Room: A 130
Abstract:
Reading is a seemingly effortless skill for many, yet it relies on cognitive and perceptual processes. While some individuals read fluently, others face challenges due to sensory constraints or text design. As reading increasingly shifts to digital environments, optimizing text for diverse needs has never been more critical. How do text properties shape readability? Can tailored text settings improve reading outcomes for individuals with dyslexia, low vision, or those learning to read?
In this talk, I will present my research at the intersection of cognitive psychology and human-computer interaction, exploring both fundamental and applied aspects of reading. I will first explore how text properties and display settings impact readability and how emerging technologies can support more adaptive reading experiences. I will then turn to the underlying mechanisms of reading, investigating how sensory constraints affect fluency and contribute to reading difficulties. My research combines psychophysical methods and large-scale behavioral studies to uncover fundamental processes that shape reading across individuals and languages.
By integrating cognitive science with practical applications, my work aims to advance digital readability and accessibility, ensuring more inclusive reading experiences for all.
Short Bio:
Nilsu Atilgan earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Bilkent University and a Ph.D. in Cognitive and Brain Sciences from the University of Minnesota. She then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Carnegie Mellon University and is currently the Lead Scientist at The Readability Consortium at the University of Central Florida. Her research focuses on the cognitive and perceptual mechanisms of reading, with an emphasis on dyslexia, and how text formats and digital settings can improve readability across diverse populations.
Outside of research, she enjoys traveling, swing dancing, creative writing, and volunteer work.
We hope to see you there!
Department of Psychology