The IKW is promoting researchers pushing the frontiers of science beyond the familiar map!
The Institute of Cognitive Science is planting the seeds of a new tradition: the IKW Connect Award. Think of it as a meeting point where different scientific rivers converge into one powerful current. By encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, the award is an opportunity for research groups at the institute to draw closer together, turning scattered insights into bold, multifaceted projects.
Read the following report from Moritz Hartstang, one of the 2025 prize holders, who shares the story of his research.
For more information about the IKW Connect award 2025 see here: https://www.presseportal.de/pm/68781/6179062
Could you briefly introduce the project that received the IKW Connect Award and explain what makes it stand out?
Our project explores how large language models process meaning and context, combining psycholinguistic theory with computational modeling. The research is conducted jointly at the Automated Scientific Discovery of Mind and Brain Lab and the SPA Lab, where we investigate how mechanisms in large language models can be interpreted as predictors of human text comprehension. We develop interpretable metrics to measure and personalize the comprehensibility of scientific and medical texts, connecting the SPA Lab’s work on semantics and pragmatics with applications in explainable AI and health and science communication.
To what extent were students involved in the project, and what specific roles did they take on?
At the end of March, students will have the chance to attend the course “Designing Text Comprehensibility”, in which we will focus on enhancing the interpretability and usability of the attention mechanism in large language models to measure and improve different aspects of text comprehensibility. With a focus on medical and scientific texts, our goal is to work towards personalized health and science communication. Join the course and become part of our project!
What advice would you give to students who are planning an interdisciplinary project or are interested in applying for the IKW Connect Award?
Never hesitate to break through disciplinary and institutional boundaries. Reach out to people confidently, but make sure you are prepared and ready to collaborate, bringing your knowledge and motivation with you.
Moritz Hartstang
PhD Candiate
