Serge has been a part of the DCC since 2018 and has built his research career on understanding human cognition through an interdisciplinary approach. His work spans cognitive science, computational neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. “I have always been fundamentally interested in how the human mind works,” Thill explains. His research focuses on cognitive systems, which encompass both natural and artificial cognition.
“The DCC is one of the few places where so many of my interests are represented,” he says. “No matter what I work on, there is always someone here who knows more about a specific aspect of it. This creates an incredibly stimulating research environment which is important because research does not happen in a vacuum”.
Acknowledging the past
Serge takes over from James McQueen, who has led the centre through a dynamic period. Serge is full of appreciation: “James has done a fantastic job in keeping the DCC stable and thriving. "Over the last five months, I have worked closely with him during this transition period, and it has given me a deep appreciation for how seamlessly he managed challenges. So much so that from the outside, one might not even have noticed them."
While the centre will have to evolve in response to evolving financial and institutional realities, Serge is optimistic about the opportunities that this brings. “This is a good moment for change,” he says. “It is also a chance to improve processes and reduce red tape, ensuring that the DCC remains an internationally leading centre for cognitive research.”
Vision for the future
Serge believes that maintaining a strong research environment is just as crucial as conducting high-quality research. “If you have an ambition to be a good scientist, it cannot just be about research outputs. It should also be about shaping and maintaining the environment that facilitates this research.”
Looking ahead, Serge acknowledges that the coming years will be influenced by financial challenges within the university. “Our scope for new investments will be limited for some time. Still, we will maintain the high-quality research we are already known for and ensuring that we continue to provide a stable and stimulating environment for our researchers.”
One of the key areas he identifies for the future is artificial intelligence. “Unlike large tech companies that rely on ever-increasing computational resource demands to drive innovation, we study the efficiency of the human brain, how it achieves so much with such minimal energy consumption. Understanding this can help develop more efficient AI models, but can only be achieved through a very multidisciplinary study of cognition, a hallmark of the DCC.”
Leadership style and expectations
When asked what researchers and students can expect from him, Serge highlights the importance of the entire DCC community in maintaining the institute’s success. “The DCC thrives because of its outstanding researchers and support staff. Their expertise and dedication are what make this place work so well, and I want to ensure that everyone feels valued and supported in their roles.”
Serge envisions the DCC continuing as a leading centre for cognitive research, known for its welcoming and open-minded approach. “Studying cognition, whether natural or artificial, requires a multidisciplinary perspective, and the DCC has always been a place that embraces that diversity. The ambition is to maintain our position at the forefront and to be recognised internationally as a centre of excellence.”