Matthias Brand

Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen

Papers

Total Citations

263

H-Index

About

Dr. Matthias Brand is a leading researcher at the intersection of social neuroscience, human-robot interaction, and digital sexual health. His pioneering work employs functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the neural underpinnings of social cognition, most notably in how humans empathize with non-human entities. In a landmark 2014 study (156 citations), Brand demonstrated that observing violent treatment of a robot activates similar neural networks—including the anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex—as witnessing harm toward humans, fundamentally challenging our understanding of empathy. This work, alongside a 2013 study (29 citations), has profound implications for designing socially intelligent robots and understanding moral cognition. More recently, Brand has turned his attention to the digital realm, providing a crucial conceptual analysis of Sexual Interaction in Digital Contexts (SIDC) (2021, 51 citations). This work systematically maps the mechanisms, opportunities, and risks of technology-mediated sexual experiences, offering a vital framework for researchers and clinicians addressing sexual health in an increasingly digital world. By bridging neuroimaging, social psychology, and human-computer interaction, Brand’s research continues to shape how we understand both human nature and our relationships with technology.