5 March 2010
'Ways of seeing: eyes and eye movements across the animal kingdom' - The Drever Lecture
Most of us take our eyes for granted without ever stopping to think how they actually work, but these miraculous organs will come under the spotlight during a public lecture at the University of Dundee later this month.
The fact that our gaze unconsciously shifts up to four times every second and that we are blind during these eye movements is not well known, but it is only between these rapid shifts that we see with any clarity.
This same strategy of rapid jerks of the eyes is found across many parts of the animal kingdom, from humans to insects to crustaceans and even cephalopod molluscs. This is because most animals have to solve the same problem: minimising the amount of time we can’t see because the eyes are moving.
The University of Sussex's Professor Mike Land FRS will be exploring these, and other secrets of our eyes, when he delivers the Drever Lecture at the University of Dundee on Thursday, 18 March.
Described by Richard Dawkins as 'The King Midas of eye research', Professor Land is one of the country’s leading comparative biologists and psychologists.
The impact of his research has been far-reaching even leading to a revolutionary new type of telescope based on his discoveries about the optics of animal eyes. He is now the world’s leading authority on how humans use their eyes in everyday life.
Dr Benjamin Tatler, from the University’s School of Psychology, said, 'It is a great privilege to welcome such a distinguished scientist to Dundee.
'Professor Land's work has inspired biologists and psychologists alike. His pioneering work on how humans use their eyes in real world situations has ignited a new field of research into the interplay between vision and action.'
The Drever Lecture in Psychology is an occasional event to honour outstanding psychologists and to promote understanding of psychology in the wider community. The lectures commemorate James Drever, 1910-1991, first Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee.
The Drever Lectures are possible because of the extraordinary generosity of the Drever family and the Board of Trustees of the Drever Fund. Professor Land will discuss ‘Ways of Seeing: Eyes and Eye Movements in the Animal Kingdom’ at the University’s Dalhousie Building at 6pm on Thursday, march 18th.
Free tickets are available from Tower Building Reception, by emailing events@dundee.ac.uk, calling 01382 385564, or visiting www.dundee.ac.uk/tickets.
A drinks reception will follow the lecture. Please note that overflow theatres will be in use.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
