Thomas Parr

University of Oxford, Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Thomas Parr is a leading researcher in computational neuroscience, whose work centers on active inference—a unifying framework for understanding how brains use internal models to guide action and perception. His highly cited review, "Active inference as a theory of sentient behavior" (2024, 83 citations), provides a comprehensive overview of this field, tracing its history and future directions. Parr’s contributions extend to rethinking visual attention: in "Reclaiming saliency: Rhythmic precision-modulated action and perception" (2022), he challenges conventional saliency maps by introducing rhythmic precision modulation, highlighting the circular causality between action and perception. This work bridges gaps between AI models and biological vision. More recently, in "Shared worlds, shared minds" (2025), Parr explores how embodied AI systems can learn through physical and social interaction, drawing parallels with living organisms. His research not only advances theoretical understanding but also informs the development of more adaptive artificial intelligence. With a growing citation impact and a focus on integrating prediction, inference, and environmental engagement, Parr is shaping the next generation of cognitive and computational science.