The research conducted by Professor Emeritus of Social Psychology Frank Van Overwalle falls within the scope of the SRP57 project at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and has now gained international recognition. In the 2024 ScholarGPS Rankings, he achieved fourth place worldwide for his work on the cerebellum over the past five years.
The cerebellum, or "little brain," is traditionally known for its role in motor coordination. Thanks to the work of SRP57, it is now clear that this brain region plays a key role in social and cognitive processes such as empathy, mental simulation, and complex social interactions. This research not only provides new insights into brain functions but also opens up possibilities for treating conditions in which these processes are disrupted.
The ScholarGPS Rankings recognise the world's most influential scientists based on productivity, citations, and scientific quality. Van Overwalle highlights the significance of this achievement: "Among the scientists who have had the greatest influence on cerebellum research worldwide over the past five years, two are from the United States – the most powerful country in scientific research – and two are from a small country. One of them is Belgium. And that’s us, from the VUB."
VUB Today recently spoke with Frank Van Overwalle about his research on the cerebellum.
VUB Today recently spoke with Frank Van Overwalle about his research on the cerebellum.