Dr Daniel J Shaw

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

d.j.shaw@aston.ac.uk

Scientific Background

Research Interests

As a social cognitive neuroscientist, I use various neuroimaging techniques to investigate the brain systems that support social cognition (e.g., perspective taking, empathy). Currently, I am developing interactive experimental paradigms that can be used to measure brain function from two individuals simultaneously whilst they engage in social interaction with one another ("hyperscanning"). This allows me to explore the brain systems associated with social cognitive process while they unfold during real interpersonal behaviour.

My research seeks to determine how the brain allows us to perform the myriad of cognitive processes that allow is to interact one another, and how these neurocognitive systems give rise to individual differences in social behaviour.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: goal-driven, independent, supportive.

Provision of Training

From the beginning of your PhD, I will expect you to work autonomously in identifying appropriate methods and techniques. Although I will guide your training of these methods and techniques, the training itself will be performed by expert colleagues.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I like to be kept up to date, and will expect to see evidence of method development/data generation results on a weekly basis. I will set out my expectations of your progression on a weekly/monthly basis, and if these progression criteria are not met we will discuss a plan of action together.

Communication

I am known to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night, however I will not expect you to do the same. I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or my/our expectations.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting	In year 1 of PhD study	In year 2 of PhD study	In year 3 of PhD study
At least once a fortnight	At least once a fortnight	At least once a fortnight	At least once a month

These meetings will be a mixture of face to face and via video chat or telephone, and I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Current Projects (2025-26)

Primary supervisor for:

Social brain fingerprints of social behaviour: using network science to extract neural correlates of interpersonal (dys)function

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Social brain fingerprints of social behaviour: using network science to extract neural correlates of interpersonal (dys)function

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Charlotte Pennington, Dr Enrico Amico

University of Registration: Aston University

BBSRC Research Themes: Understanding the Rules of Life (Neuroscience and Behaviour)

Project Outline

Research by one of the co-supervisors of this studentship has shown that patterns of functional brain connectivity estimated from functional resonance magnetic imaging (fMRI) data can be used to identify a given individual in a set of functional connectivity profiles from a population (Van De Ville et al., 2021). This technique - “brain fingerprinting” - can provide useful insights into the individual features that distinguish our brains from one another, and how those features might drive inter-individual variability in cognition and behaviour. Individual differences in cognition and behaviour are evident particularly in social contexts, wherein our unique inter-personal competencies and dispositions determine the ways in which we interact with others. By acquiring fMRI data from individuals engaged in real social interactions - “second-person neuroscience” – the Primary Supervisor of this studentship has revealed systematic patterns of functional brain connectivity that appear to coordinate interpersonal behaviour (Shaw et al., 2023).

This project will by combine brain fingerprinting and second-person neuroscience techniques to identify “social brain fingerprints” that underpin individual differences in interactive behaviour, and disruptions to which might underpin the dysfunctional interpersonal behaviour recognised as a transdiagnostic criterion of many disorders. This will establish a novel line of research. To ensure methodological robustness throughout this process, the student will also be co-supervised and trained in open research practices by a local lead of the Reproducibility Network (Pennington, 2023).

Objective 1: Identify brain fingerprints that predict individual expressions of reciprocity during social interaction.

Brain fingerprinting will be applied to fMRI data acquired from healthy individuals using a second-person paradigm - the iterated Ultimatum Game (iUG). On this task, pairs of individuals will undergo fMRI while they interact with one another over multiple monetary exchanges with the goal of maximising their own eventual payout. To maximise their payout, both players must adapt to and reciprocate the behaviour of their opponent. Brain fingerprinting applied to these fMRI data will therefore identify features of “social brain fingerprints” that explain inter-individual variability in expressions of reciprocity. This will achieve unprecedented insights into the different brain networks and subsystems recruited during expressions of reciprocity during social interactions.

Objective 2: Define features of brain fingerprints associated with maladaptive expressions of reciprocity in autism.

Autism is characterised by difficulties in social interaction and communication, manifesting as atypical social-emotional reciprocity. To determine the social brain fingerprints of such behaviour, brain fingerprinting will be applied to fMRI data acquired from pairs of autistic and non-autistic individuals while they interact with one another on the iUG. Pilot data acquired by the supervisory team indicate that autistic individuals show altered expressions of reciprocity compared to their healthy co-players, and this is associated with the severity of the autistic phenotype. In this project, the successful candidate will identify social brain fingerprints in the autistic sample that differ from the “healthy” social brain fingerprint(s) identified in Objective 1, and then define features of these fingerprints associated with these altered expressions.

References

Pennington, C. R. (2023). A student’s guide to open science: Using the replication crisis to reform psychology. Open University Press.

Shaw, D. J. et al. (2023). The interacting brain: dynamic functional connectivity among canonical brain networks dissociates cooperative from competitive social interactions. NeuroImage, 269, 119933.

Van De Ville, D. et al. (2021). When makes you unique: Temporality of the human brain fingerprint. Science advances, 7(42), eabj0751.