PAAC Lab (Perception, Attention and Affective Cognition)

Contact us: skumar@brookes.ac.uk

About us

The PAAC Lab supports our research in a range of cognitive and brain processes. These include aspects of:

  • visual and attentional processing
  • visual working memory
  • early motor planning. 

A key strand of research of late is how high-level cognitive processes such as those associated with the self and with emotion interact with each other and with cognitive processing more broadly. Work has looked at both clinical and neurotypical populations, using standard behavioural measures and investigation of brain processes by recording and manipulating neural activity.

Visual short-term memory experiment
Visual short-term memory experiment

Our facilities

Electroencephalogram (EEG) system
Electroencephalogram (EEG) system

We have a number of specialist labs and equipment to pursue these areas. These include a:

  • vision lab with a specialised calibrated monitor and precision timing (CRS Display++)
  • TMS room containing a Magstim Rapid2 TMS system
  • Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) systems
  • EEG suite fitted with a 128 channels BioSemi EEG system and dedicated computers installed with BrainVision Anlyzer analysis software.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Visual Cognition Room
Visual Cognition Room

Current research

Black and white image of brain

Recent news

We are delighted to invite you to a free 2-day workshop on 'Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - Basic Research and Clinical Applications', organised by Dr Sanjay Kumar. 

  • Date: 12-13 June 2025 (Thursday / Friday)
  • Where: Oxford Brookes University Headington Campus, OX3 0BP
  • Cost: Free
  • Registration link: To be confirmed - Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information.

Dr Kumar led successful workshops on TMS last year, and we are excited to offer another opportunity for learning and collaboration. Registration details will be released once the agenda is confirmed.


Student working in the Library