Dr Helge Gillmeister

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Email
helge@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 873533
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Location
2.715, Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
My research is about how our sense of body gives rise to our sense of self. I use EEG/ERPs and psychophysical methods to investigate how tactile and visual processing mechanisms contribute to body representation. I'm a member of the British Association for Cognitive Neuroscience, the Experimental Psychology Society, and the European Brain and Behaviour Society. I joined the Department of Psychology here at 糖心Vlog in 2009. Before that, I did my BSc in Psychology with Cognitive Science at University College London. After that, I worked at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge, investigating tactile attention and body representation in healthy adults and neuropsychological patients (with Prof Anthony Marcel). Then I did my PhD on the perception of vibrations (in touch and hearing) at Birkbeck, University of London (supervised by Prof Martin Eimer). After my PhD, I returned to University College London to work on the role of sensorimotor learning in the imitation of actions (with Prof Cecilia Heyes). After that, I was at the Cognitive Neuroscience Research Unit at City University London, investigating tactile spatial attention and body representation in perception and action (with Prof Bettina Forster).
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Visual body representations and effects of body image in eating and body dysmorphic disorders
Somatosensory processes, multisensory processes involving somatosensation
Sensorimotor learning, neural plasticity, integration of external objects/tools into the body schema
Mirror touch, action representation, and social cognition
The bodily self in depersonalisation-derealisation disorder
Interoception and Anxiety
Examining multidimensions of interoception and adult and child anxiety
Current research
The bodily self
Visual remapping of touch (mirror touch)
Visual body representation
Eating and body dysmorphic disorders
Healthy active ageing
Depersonalisation-derealisation disorder
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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The Social Brain (PS106)
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Brain and Behaviour (PS411)
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The Neuroscience of Human Nature (PS495)
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Psychopathology (PS504)
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Believing is Seeing. The power of belief and suggestion on the mind and brain (PS508)
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Research Management (PS912)
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Advanced Brain and Behaviour (PS943)
Current supervision
Previous supervision

Degree subject: Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 9/5/2025

Degree subject: Biosocial Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 16/1/2025

Degree subject: Computer Science
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 30/9/2024

Degree subject: Computer Science
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 4/7/2023

Degree subject: Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 3/3/2023

Degree type: Master of Science
Awarded date: 5/10/2022

Degree subject: Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 30/8/2022

Degree subject: Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 1/7/2022

Degree subject: Neuropsychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 21/6/2022

Degree subject: Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 8/4/2021

Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 18/11/2020

Degree subject: Physiotherapy
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 29/5/2019

Degree subject: Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 11/5/2017

Degree subject: Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 25/2/2016
Publications
Publications (3)
Constant, M., Mandal, A., Asanowicz, D., Panek, B., Kotlewska, I., Yamaguchi, M., Gillmeister, H., Kerzel, D., Luque, D., Molinero, S., Mill谩n, AV., Pesciarelli, F., Borelli, E., Ramzaoui, H., Beck, M., Somon, B., Desantis, A., Castellanos, MC., Mart铆n-Ar茅valo, E., Manini, G., Capizzi, M., Gokce, A., Ozer, D., Soyman, E., Y谋lmaz, E., Eayrs, J., London, R., Steendam, ST., Frings, C., Past枚tter, B., Szaszk贸, B., Baess, P., Ayatollahi, S., Leon, G., Wetzel, N., Widmann, A., Cao, L., Low, X., Costa, TL., Chelazzi, L., Monachesi, B., Dr., S-MKJ., Knopf, L., Itier, R., Meixner, JM., Jost, K., Botes, A., Braddock, CA., Li, D., Nowacka, A., Quenault, M., Scanzi, D., Torrance, T., Corballis, PM., Laera, G., Kliegel, M., Welke, D., Mushtaq, F., Pavlov, YG. and Liesefeld, HR., (2025). A multilab investigation into the N2pc as an indicator of attentional selectivity: Direct replication of Eimer (1996).
Constant, M., Mandal, A., Asanowicz, D., Yamaguchi, M., Gillmeister, H., Kerzel, D., Luque, D., Pesciarelli, F., Fehr, T., Mushtaq, F., Pavlov, YG. and Liesefeld, HR., (2023). A multilab investigation into the N2pc as an indicator of attentional selectivity: Direct replication of Eimer (1996).
Constant, M., Mandal, A., Asanowicz, D., Panek, B., Kotlewska, I., Yamaguchi, M., Gillmeister, H., Kerzel, D., Luque, D., Molinero, S., Pesciarelli, F., Borelli, E., Ramzaoui, H., Beck, M., Somon, B., Desantis, A., Castellanos, MC., Mart铆n-Ar茅valo, E., Manini, G., Capizzi, M., Gokce, A., Ozer, D., Soyman, E., Y谋lmaz, E., Eayrs, J., London, R., Steendam, ST., Frings, C., Past枚tter, B., Szaszk贸, B., Baess, P., Ayatollahi, S., Leon, G., Wetzel, N., Widmann, A., Cao, L., Low, X., Costa, TL., Chelazzi, L., Monachesi, B., Dr., S-MKJ., Knopf, L., Itier, R., Meixner, JM., Jost, K., Botes, A., Braddock, CA., Li, D., Nowacka, A., Quenault, M., Scanzi, D., Torrance, T., Corballis, PM., Laera, G., Kliegel, M., Welke, D., Mushtaq, F., Pavlov, YG. and Liesefeld, HR., (2023). A multilab investigation into the N2pc as an indicator of attentional selectivity: Direct replication of Eimer (1996).
Journal articles (38)
Navyte, G., Gillmeister, H. and Kumari, M., (2024). . Psychoneuroendocrinology. 159, 106414-106414
Salami, A., Andreu-Perez, J. and Gillmeister, H., (2024). . Artificial Intelligence in Medicine. 149, 102755-102755
Gillmeister, H., 艩mate, I., Savva, D., Li, H., Parapadakis, C. and Adler, J., (2024). . Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 379 (1908), 20230248-
Hostler, TJ., Poerio, GL., Nader, C., Mank, S., Lin, AC., Villena-Gonzalez, M., Lemera, Shares, S., Yoloma, Moongem, Plutzik, N., Ahuja, NK., Baker, DH., Bannister, S., Barratt, EL., Bedwell, SA., Billot, PE., Blakey, E., Cardini, F., Cash, DK., Davis, NJ., Del Sette, BM., Erfanian, M., Flockton, JR., Fredborg, B., Gillmeister, H., Gray, E., Haigh, SM., Heisick, LL., McErlean, AJ., Klausen, HB., Kondo, HM., Maas, F., Maurand, LT., McKay, LS., Mozzoni, M., Navyte, G., Ortega-Balderas, JA., Palmer-Cooper, EC., Richard, CAH., Roberts, N., Romei, V., Schoeller, F., Shaw, SD., Simner, J., Smith, SD., Specker, E., Succi, A., Valtakari, NV., Weinheimer, J. and Zehetgrube, J., (2024). Research Priorities for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response: An Interdisciplinary Delphi Study. Multisensory Research. 37 (6-8), 499-528
Poerio, GL., Succi, A., Swart, T., Romei, V. and Gillmeister, H., (2023). . Consciousness and Cognition. 115, 103584-103584
Salami, A., Andreu-Perez, J. and Gillmeister, H., (2022). . IEEE Access. 10, 36672-36685
Charidza, CA. and Gillmeister, H., (2022). . Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience. 22 (6), 1404-1420
Gillmeister, H., Succi, A., Romei, V. and Poerio, GL., (2022). . Consciousness and Cognition. 103, 103380-103380
Coleman, C. and Gillmeister, H., (2022). Body image and self-perception in women with navel piercings. PLOS ONE. 17 (9), e0274099-e0274099
Groves, K., Kennett, S. and Gillmeister, H., (2020). . British Journal of Psychology. 111 (3), 508-535
Salami, A., Andreu-Perez, J. and Gillmeister, H., (2020). . Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 118, 524-537
Cooke, J., Poch, C., Gillmeister, H., Costantini, M. and Romei, V., (2019). . The Journal of Neuroscience. 39 (29), 5711-5718
Rigato, S., Bremner, AJ., Gillmeister, H. and Banissy, MJ., (2019). . Biological Psychology. 146, 107719-107719
Gillmeister, H., Stets, M., Grigorova, M. and Rigato, S., (2019). . Developmental Psychology. 55 (10), 2025-2038
Adler, J. and Gillmeister, H., (2019). . Psychophysiology. 56 (12), e13465-
(2019). Supplemental Material for How Do Bodies Become Special? Electrophysiological Evidence for the Emergence of Body-Related Cortical Processing in the First 14 Months of Life. Developmental Psychology
Groves, K., Kennett, S. and Gillmeister, H., (2018). . PLoS ONE. 13 (2), e0192583-e0192583
Schabinger, N., Gillmeister, H., Berti, S., Michal, M., Beutel, ME. and Adler, J., (2018). . Biological Psychology. 134, 64-71
Groves, K., Kennett, S. and Gillmeister, H., (2018). . Journal of Cognitive Psychology. 30 (7), 754-770
Gillmeister, H., Bowling, N., Rigato, S. and Banissy, MJ., (2017). . Multisensory Research. 30 (6), 485-508
Groves, K., Kennett, S. and Gillmeister, H., (2017). . Biological Psychology. 123, 205-219
Adler, J., Schabinger, N., Michal, M., Beutel, ME. and Gillmeister, H., (2016). . Neuropsychologia. 85, 148-158
Gillmeister, H., (2014). . Frontiers in Psychology. 5 (FEB), 95-
Simpson, A., Cooper, NR., Gillmeister, H. and Riggs, KJ., (2013). . Cognition. 128 (2), 103-112
Gillmeister, H., Cantarella, S., Gheorghiu, AI. and Adler, J., (2013). . Experimental Psychology. 60 (1), 64-70
Gillmeister, H. and Forster, B., (2012). . Experimental Brain Research. 216 (4), 489-497
Gillmeister, H. and Forster, B., (2012). . Experimental Brain Research. 221 (3), 269-278
Forster, B. and Gillmeister, H., (2011). . Psychophysiology. 48 (6), 788-796
Gillmeister, H., Adler, J. and Forster, B., (2010). . Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. 22 (5), 931-942
Gillmeister, H., Sambo, CF. and Forster, B., (2010). . European Journal of Neuroscience. 31 (10), 1874-1881
Gillmeister, H. and Forster, B., (2010). . Neuroscience Letters. 483 (3), 184-188
Sambo, CF., Gillmeister, H. and Forster, B., (2009). . European Journal of Neuroscience. 30 (1), 143-150
Gillmeister, H., Catmur, C., Liepelt, R., Brass, M. and Heyes, C., (2008). . Brain Research. 1217, 157-170
Catmur, C., Gillmeister, H., Bird, G., Liepelt, R., Brass, M. and Heyes, C., (2008). . European Journal of Neuroscience. 28 (6), 1208-1215
Press, C., Gillmeister, H. and Heyes, C., (2007). . Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 274 (1625), 2509-2514
Gillmeister, H. and Eimer, M., (2007). . Brain Research. 1160 (1), 58-68
Press, C., Gillmeister, H. and Heyes, C., (2006). . European Journal of Neuroscience. 24 (8), 2415-2419
Marcel, A., Postma, P., Gillmeister, H., Cox, S., Rorden, C., Nimmo-Smith, I. and Mackintosh, B., (2004). . Neuropsychologia. 42 (13), 1749-1767
Book chapters (1)
Vibell, J., Gillmeister, H., Sel, A., Haggarty, CJ., Van Velzen, J. and Forster, B., (2023). . In: Neuromethods. Springer US. 431- 449. 9781071630679
Conferences (5)
Armani, F., Daly, I., Vernitski, A., Gillmeister, H. and Scherer, R., (2024).
De Feo, V., Pansara, Z., Cinel, C., Gillmeister, H. and Navyte, G., (2024).
Salami, A., Andreu-Perez, J. and Gillmeister, H., (2020).
Calvo-Merino, B., Jones, A., Gillmeister, H., Tziraki, M. and Forster, B., (2012). The influence of experience on aesthetic processing: insight from ballet dancers watching dance postures
Forster, B. and Gillmeister, H., (2009). VIEWING FINGERS OF THE SAME HAND CAN DISTURB TACTILE ATTENTIONAL SELECTION
Grants and funding
2023
RESTED - REbalancing circadian rhythm of sleep and heart rate To Ease Dissociative symptoms
Wellcome Trust
2021
The estranged self 锟 Exploring the dream continuity of phenomenological self-detachment in Depersonalisation-derealisation disorder
International Association for the Scientific study of dreams
2017
Extraordinary bodies: people's initial perceptions of atypical bodies and disabilities, and can we change them?
British Academy