WELCOME

 

Welcome! Our lab is based at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Sabanci University, Turkey, led by Olesya Blazhenkova.  Our current research, supported by TÜBİTAK 1001 project (“Investigating the developmental origins of visual imagery variability through assessment of visual-object and visual-spatial play”), focuses on the developmental origins of mental imagery variability. It examines visual-object and visual-spatial imagery development in children through play with different types of visual toys. This work involves both children and their parents and explored how early experiences shape individual differences in visual thinking.  Our research also explores individual differences in visual and verbal cognition and their assessment, the connection between imagery, emotion, and creativity, visual art perception and creation, imagination of missing information (including mental filling-in and boundary extension), and memory errors.

 

 

JOIN THE LAB

 

Olesya  is happy to discuss potential applications to PhD and MS positions, PURE, independent study or internship projects. If you're interested in joining the lab, please get in touch with your CV and a brief statement outlining your research interests and experiences. Feel free to reach out! Currently, Olesya is looking for MS and PhD students to work on “Investigating the developmental origins of visual imagery variability through assessment of visual-object and visual-spatial play” (“Görsel-nesne ve görsel-uzaysal oyunların değerlendirilmesi yoluyla zihinsel imge değişkenliğinin gelişimsel kökenlerinin araştırılması”) grant, supported by TÜBİTAK 1001 program.

 

For information about becoming a graduate student, please click here for  admission details. Check our graduate admission leaflet. When applying, choose Olesya Blazhenkova as a professor with whom you are interested in working. Please contact Olesya (olesya@sabanciuniv. edu) prior to submitting your application.

 

The ideal candidate has:

– Interest, knowledge, and research experience in cognitive and/or developmental psychology

– Communication with children and parents’ skills

– Fluent English, experience in academic writing

 

 

'PLAY & LEARN’ FESTIVAL

 

As part of our TÜBİTAK 1001-supported research, we organize the ‘Play and Learn’ festival at Sabancı University. This event combines field research on children’s play with engaging, fun-filled activities, ranging from art and science educational games to outdoor play experiences.

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This year incoming festival:
in English ‘Play and Learn’ Festival 2025
in Turkish 'Oyna ve Öğren' Şenliği 2025

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Past festival:
in English ‘Play and Learn’ Festival 2024
in Turkish 'Oyna ve Öğren' Şenliği 2024 

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