What kind of study did you conduct during your time at the CoBraS lab?

Together with the lab team members, I explored specific cognitive biases related to politically polarized environments. In particular, I focused on analysing how people perceive the persuasiveness of political arguments that either align with or contradict their pre-existing beliefs. To do this, I used both behavioral measurements and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to study the role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in processing these arguments. This project ties directly into the issue of polarization, which is something I’m very interested in, as certain cognitive processes can strengthen political biases. This makes it harder for individuals to accept information that challenges their beliefs, which in turn deepens societal divides.

How did your project contribute to the broader understanding of polarisation and its impact on behaviour?

One of the key findings was that participants rated arguments aligned with their pre-existing beliefs as more persuasive than those that conflicted with their views, highlighting the presence of motivated reasoning. This effect persisted even when controlling for the quality of the arguments. I believe this shows a core mechanism of polarisation—motivated reasoning—where individuals unconsciously favor information that supports their beliefs while dismissing opposing viewpoints. Interestingly, the study also suggested that polarization might not be as clear-cut as we often assume. The distribution of attitudes across various political topics, particularly the consensus seen on issues like climate policy and gender, challenged the common narrative that polarization dominates all aspects of political discourse. This nuance adds depth to our understanding of how polarization manifests in different contexts.

What aspect of your internship did you find the most rewarding, and why?

One of the most rewarding things was seeing all the work come together into a final piece. Throughout the internship, I was developing my research day by day, but at the end, having a “printed” completed project that demonstrated all the progress I made felt incredibly satisfying. Also, I found it particularly fulfilling to find out that I could overcome challenges that initially seemed overwhelming. For example, I had to learn how to operate an fMRI machine, analyze data using programming languages I had never encountered before, and interpret complex graphs that, on my first day, looked completely foreign to me. I also enjoyed a lot the collaborative aspects of the experience. Academic research can sometimes feel isolating, but I was lucky to have friends or fellow students in similar positions, and we spent a lot of time together, which made the whole project much smoother and more enjoyable. I guess that this balance between independent work and teamwork was something I really appreciated during my time at the lab.

How did your experience in CoBraS lab and RPA Polarization group contribute to your academic and career goals?

Well, it provided me with my first real hands-on experience in a scientific research environment, which is something I’ll never forget (hopefully). It gave me practical knowledge of what it’s like to work in a lab, showing me the full scope of the scientific process—sometimes fast-paced and other times more relaxed. This rhythm helped me improve my time management, which has never been my strongest skill, honestly. Moreover, I learned how to deal with participants, how important their privacy is, and how to navigate the various bureaucratic aspects of research. Working in an interdisciplinary setting also introduced me to a wide range of researchers from different backgrounds, and now I know there are amazing people and amazing professionals I can reach out to in the future, which is invaluable for my career development.

Did the interdisciplinary nature of the RPA influence the methods used in the project to study polarization?

Absolutely. Keep in mind that my project was just a small piece of a larger, long-term study conducted by researchers, mainly from UvA, that brings together experts from neuroscience, political science, psychology, and even data science. For example, insights from political science helped shape my research questions to reflect real-world political dynamics. Psychological theories, such as motivated reasoning, were key to understanding individual behavior. At the same time, neuroscience tools allowed me to investigate specific brain regions involved in the process. In short, the interdisciplinary approach enabled us to examine polarization from multiple perspectives, which I think they lead to a deeper understanding of the neuropsychology of politics.

Can you describe a typical day at the lab as an intern?

I usually arrived at the lab around 8 AM—not because I’m an early bird, but due to a long train commute from Rotterdam (a story for another interview!). After having breakfast, I’d start working around 9. The lab had big common rooms where everyone worked together, so I’d settle in there to do readings, data analysis, or anything related. Tuesdays, for instance, were great because at midday, we had an RPA lunch organised by Marte Otten. It was an informal gathering where researchers working on polarization met to chat and eat, which was always a highlight. On some days, I’d conduct an fMRI scan (assisting an fMRI operator) with a participant, which could take 1-2 hours, before returning to my tasks. Fridays were particularly interesting because the Hot Politics lab hosted presentations from PhD candidates, which were often very engaging. There were so many enjoyable activities alongside the regular work. Another example are lab meetings on Tuesdays, where we discussed weekly progress and shared suggestions. Currently, I also work part-time as a journalist, so having a designated spot at the lab where I could work in peace was a luxury. It really felt like my office, and I appreciated that, especially since I know some interns don’t even have a dedicated desk. That made the experience much more comfortable.

I assume you faced challenges during the internship, how did you handle them?

Yes, I encountered some challenges for sure, especially when it came to data analysis. Thankfully, I had support from Xinyao Zhang, a PhD candidate at the lab, who was always available to answer my questions and help me navigate the technical hurdles. My supervisor, Christin Scholz, also made a big difference. Contrary to the stereotype of supervisors being strict or harsh, she was really approachable, which made everything feel less overwhelming. In addition to that, I wasn’t working alone. There were other interns in the lab, though they were working on different projects unrelated to polarization. Nonetheless, I found emotional support and meaningful connections in them. I believe that having friends around made the internship much more enjoyable and helped maintain a balance between work and social life. It's important, in my opinion, to feel like the lab is a safe space where you can freely discuss any concerns with your superiors, and having those friendships made it all a lot easier to handle.

Your stay at the RPA Polarisation group and CoBraS lab ended. What did you do then? What are you doing now?

After finishing my project, I took a (much-needed) summer vacation and went back to Spain to spend time with my family and friends. That was great, but recently I’ve started a new internship! Now I’m learning at the Conscious Brain Lab, also at UvA where I’m focusing on feedforward, lateral, and feedback mechanisms underlying human perception and consciousness. My work here involves using EEG decoding and Kanizsa paradigms to explore these processes. I must say that this new project is still in the early stages, and I’m reading up on literature to define the exact direction. Although I loved working on polarization, which aligns with my interests and has many practical implications, I wanted to explore something more rooted in fundamental science before finishing my master’s. While cognitive biases and polarization are fascinating, the psychometric aspects can sometimes be a bit flawed. That’s why I shifted to something more conceptually straightforward in terms of methodology. In the end, it’s great that the master's program allows for two internships, because this gave me the chance to explore different areas. As this is my final year, I’m also starting to think about what comes next. I’m considering PhD positions but am also open to other possibilities, such as research in industry, science communication, or even going back to journalism. So, if any readers out there think they can help, feel free to reach out!