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Doğa Gülhan

SUMMARY

I am a researcher in psychology with a strong technical background, specialising in visual attention, eye-tracking, and virtual reality. My work focuses on experimental design, behavioural research, and data analysis across real-world, VR, laboratory, and online settings. My doctoral and postdoctoral research has involved the use of psychophysics, gaze analysis, judgment, and decision-making tasks. Previously, I worked as a VR technician, designing and piloting experiments to support academic research. My earlier background in cognitive science and architecture provided an interdisciplinary foundation for work on visual perception and user interaction.

EDUCATION

PhD in Psychology Royal Holloway, University of London (2017 – 2021)

Thesis: Aesthetic experience and judgment: Exploring three-dimensional arts in laboratory, real-world, online, and virtual reality settingsSupervisors: Prof Johannes Zanker & Dr Szonya Durant
MA in Cognitive Science Bogazici University (2013 – 2017)Thesis: A psychophysical investigation and a philosophical discussion on event-time perceptionAdvisors: Dr Inci Ayhan & Dr Lucas Thorpe
BArch in Architecture Istanbul Technical University (2009 – 2013)Graduation project: Defining public spaces for the buffer zone in Nicosia, Cyprus
Secondary Education Istanbul High School (2004 – 2009)Graduated with a Turkish diploma and the German Abitur

EXPERIENCE

Independent Researcher (Jan 2025 – present)

Conducting short-term research projects in applied psychology and VR, under confidentiality agreements

Postdoctoral Researcher Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Jan 2024 – Dec 2024)

UK-based, remote researcher on the project: Empirical aesthetics and science communication using mobile and VR eye-trackingPrincipal Investigator: Prof Bahador Bahrami
Postdoctoral Researcher Royal Holloway, University of London (Sep 2022 – Dec 2023)Researcher on the project: Aesthetic cognitivism for groups: collective ways of looking and sense-makingPrincipal Investigators: Prof Bahador Bahrami, Prof Manos Tsakiris, Prof Ophelia Deroy
VR Lab Technician Royal Holloway, University of London (Oct 2019 – Sep 2022)Designed, coded, and conducted VR experiments to support departmental research
Teaching Assistant Royal Holloway, University of London (Sep 2017 – Feb 2020)Psychological research methods and analysis (undergraduate), Statistics for research (graduate), Advanced and applied research techniques (graduate)
Research Project Assistant & Lab Manager Bogazici University (Jan 2015 – Sept 2017)Researcher on the project: A psychophysical investigation of time perceptionPrincipal Investigator: Dr Inci AyhanDesigned experiments, collected and analysed data, managed the lab for projects, contributed to presentations, and supervised undergraduates and interns
Architect Tamirhane Architectural Office (Jun '13 – Sep '14)Worked on projects ranging from museums and public spaces to interior and urban design guidelines, using various design software

TECHNICAL SKILLS

While I currently use a specific set of tools, I have experience with a variety of platforms and remain open to learning and adopting new methods as needed.

Programming and Data Analysis: Using Python and jamovi for data analysis and experimental work; previously used MATLAB and R (working knowledge); experienced in C# and Processing from earlier projects; familiar with JASP and SPSS

Experimental Software and Hardware: Experienced with PsychoPy, Psychtoolbox (MATLAB), and Tobii Pro Lab; familiar with online platforms such as Gorilla and Labvanced; proficient with mobile eye-tracking systems, with additional experience in VR-based, desktop, and online eye-tracking setups

2D and 3D Design: Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, After Effects) and Affinity Suite; competent in SketchUp and Unity, with working knowledge of Blender, Lumion, Twinmotion, and photogrammetry tools; previous experience in Rhinoceros, Maya, Mudbox, and AutoCAD

PUBLICATIONS

Published

Gulhan, D., Kaur Suri, H., Mascarenhas-Whitman, I., Tennyson, A., Durant, S. (2025). The effect of particle turbulence on guiding attention in a 360° VR art piece. In: Chen, J.Y.C., Fragomeni, G. (eds) Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality. HCII 2025. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 15789. Springer, Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-93712-5_2 [PDF]
Gulhan, D., Bahrami, B., & Deroy, O. (2025). Studying attention to IPCC climate change maps with mobile eye-tracking. PLoS ONE 20(1): e0316909. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316909
Gulhan, D., Durant, S., & Zanker, J. (2022). Aesthetic judgments of three-dimensional arts in virtual reality and online settings. Virtual Reality, 27, 573–589. doi: 10.1007/s10055-022-00671-1
Gulhan, D., Durant, S., & Zanker, J. (2021). Similarity of gaze patterns across physical and virtual versions of an installation artwork. Scientific Reports, 11, 18913. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91904-x
Gulhan, D., & Ayhan, I. (2019). Short-term global motion adaptation induces a compression in the subjective duration of dynamic visual events. Journal of Vision, 19(5):19, 1–22. doi: 10.1167/19.5.19

In Submission

Gulhan, D.*, Aliyeva, A.*, Bolouki, S.*, Aslani, A., Deroy, O., & Bahrami, B. (submitted, under revision). Gaze scanpath similarity in mobile eye tracking using dynamic time warping (DTW). [*Co-authors contributed equally.] Data & preprint link: osf.io/9b4cr & osf.io/tws8y
Gear, E., Ellett, L., Durant, S., Rydzkowska, A., Gulhan, D., & Kingston, J. (submitted) The effects of mindfulness training on state paranoia in virtual reality: A randomised control trial.

In Preparation

Gulhan, D., & Bahrami, B. (in preparation). Ways of looking: Gaze towards representational Western paintings in a gallery-like lab space using mobile eye-trackers. Preprint & Materials: osf.io/w5aue/
Gulhan, D., Zanker, J., & Bahrami, B. (in preparation). Exploring gaze behaviour in an art gallery: A pilot research with mobile eye-tracking and development of a VR digital twin. Materials: osf.io/96u3y/
Gulhan, D., Durant, S., & Zanker, J. (in preparation). Visual experience of installation art in the gallery and aesthetic preference towards artwork variations.
Gulhan, D., & Durant, S. (in preparation). User visual attention guidance in virtual environments.

PRESENTATIONS

Gulhan, D., Kaur Suri, H., Mascarenhas-Whitman, I., Tennyson, A. & Durant, S. (2025, June). The effect of particle turbulence on guiding attention in a 360° VR art piece. Talk session presented at HCI International 2025 (HCII 2025), Gothenburg, Sweden | Online. [PDF: Presentation]
Durant, S., Gulhan, D., Harsimran, S., Haider-Smith, J. & Vekaria, K. (2023, August) The effects of depth of field on attention in whilst exploring a virtual environment. Talk session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Paphos, Cyprus. Presented by Szonya Durant.
Zanker, J., Gulhan, D. & O'Neill, H. (2023, August) Painting, Architecture, Space – Eye and body movements in VR disambiguate illusions. Talk session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Paphos, Cyprus. Presented by by Johannes Zanker.
Gulhan, D. & Durant, S. (2022, August). Use cases of eye-tracking in virtual reality (VR) for basic research. Talk session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Presented by Szonya Durant.
Oztok, G. & Gulhan, D. (2021, October). Potential restorative effects of virtual parks. Poster session presented at the International Conference on Environmental Psychology (ICEP), Siracusa, Italy. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Gulhan, D., Durant, S. & Zanker, J. (2021, September). The relation between liking and monetary value of abstract watercolour paintings – an online experiment. Poster session presented at the Conference of the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics (IAEA), Online. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Durant, S. & Gulhan, D. (2021, September). Visual attention guidance in virtual environments. Poster session presented at the Conference of the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics (IAEA), Online. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Oztok, G. & Gulhan, D. (2021, September) Effects of complexity and naturalness of pocket park designs on user preference. Poster session presented at the International Conference on Spatial Cognition (ICSC), Rome, Italy. doi:10.1007/s10339-021-01058-x [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Gulhan, D., Durant, S. & Zanker, J. (2021, August). Visual experience of installation art in the gallery and aesthetic preference towards artwork variations. Poster session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Online. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Zanker, J., Gulhan, D., Durant, S., Holmes, T., & Stevanov, J. (2021, August). Mondrian’s travel into space: grand aesthetic vision or artistic imagination? Poster session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Online. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Gulhan, D., Durant, S. & Zanker, J. (2019, December). Experimental aesthetics in virtual reality: Mondrians, unicorns, and squared circles. Poster session presented at the Applied Vision Association (AVA) Christmas Meeting, Cardiff, Wales. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Gulhan, D., Durant, S. & Zanker, J. (2019, August). A methodological evaluation on simultaneous use of wearable and VR eye tracking in museum: A comparative case study on Piet Mondrian’s room design. Poster session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Leuven, Belgium. doi: 10.1177/0301006619863862. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]Zanker, J., Gulhan, D., Stevanov, J. & Holmes, T. (2019, August). Constructing Piet Mondrian’s design of a ‘Salon for Ida Bienert’ in VR. Poster session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Leuven, Belgium. doi: 10.1177/0301006619863862. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Gulhan, D., Durant, S. & Zanker, J. (2019, August). Aesthetic judgments of physical and digital three-dimensional arts in virtual reality and online settings. Poster session presented at the Visual Science of Art Conference (VSAC), Leuven, Belgium. doi: 10.1163/22134913-20190704. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Zanker, J., Gulhan, D., Stevanov, J., Holmes, T., & Durant, S. (2019, August). Mondrian’s ideas in space explored as a physical and VR reconstruction: ‘Zukunftsräume’ in Dresden. Talk session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Leuven, Belgium. [PDF: Abstract]
Gulhan, D., & Zanker, J. (2018, December). Exploring three-dimensional arts in laboratory, real world, and virtual reality settings. Poster session presented at the Applied Vision Association (AVA) Christmas Meeting, London, UK. doi: 10.1177/0301006619828106. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Gulhan, D., & Zanker, J. (2018, August). Exploring artwork in situ: Empirical aesthetics making use of mobile eye tracking. Poster session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Trieste, Italy. doi: 10.1177/0301006618824879. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Gulhan, D., & Ayhan, I. (2017, August). The perceived duration of global motion in random dot kinematograms (RDKs). Poster session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Berlin, Germany. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Gulhan, D., Alashan, D., & Ayhan, I. (2017, August). The contextual effect of colour preference on the perception of emotionally ambiguous faces. Poster session presented at the European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Berlin, Germany. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Alashan, D., Gulhan, D., & Ayhan, I. (2017, May). The effect of colour preference on the perception of emotionally ambiguous faces. Poster session presented at 4th International Symposium on Brain and Cognitive Science (ISBCS), Istanbul, Turkey. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Gulhan, D., & Ayhan, I. (2016, May). The perceived duration of global motion in random dot kinematograms (RDKs). Poster session presented at the Annual Meeting of the Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA. doi: 10.1167/16.12.1083. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Ergin, K. & Gulhan, D. (2016, May). The cheerleader effect on faces and watches. Poster session presented at 3rd International Symposium on Brain and Cognitive Science (ISBCS), Istanbul, Turkey. [PDF: Abstract] [PDF: Poster]
Gulhan, D. (2014). Mimarlık ve tasarım öğrenci yarışmalarında uygulama [Practice in student architectural and design competitions]. Yarışmalar ve Mimarlık Sempozyumu. Ankara: ODTU Press.
Gulhan, D. & Oztok, G. (2014). Yer/mekan tartışmalarında ikna [Persuasion in place/space discourses]. Mimarlıkta Eleştirel Okumalar V. Ankara: Mimarlar Derneği 1927 Press.

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