NCN Grants for our researchers!
Have you ever wondered why while searching for a potential romantic partner you are attracted only to some candidates? Prof. dr. S. Craig Roberts will answer this question. In turn, dr hab. Izabela Lebuda will delve into the topic of creativity that is essential in everyday life, work, and when facing global challenges.
Two projects of the researchers of the Institute of Psychology of the University of Wrocław are included on the list of applications selected for funding in MAESTRO 9 and SONATA BIS 14 grants of the National Science Centre (NCN) published on 27th February 2025.
Prof. dr. S. Craig Robert’s project „Invisible Bonds: The Social and Relationship Implications of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Compatibility” was awarded a grant for the amount of PLN 4 534 406 under the Maestro grant.
What does the researcher do and what is the scope of his research? Here’s a description:
Have you ever wondered why while searching for a potential romantic partner you are attracted only to some candidates? It turns out it is not only about the appearance, personality, or even shared interests – your immune system can also play a major role in your choice! In particular some genes in human leukocyte antigen HLA complex, which support controlling the immune system, can also influence whether you find someone attractive.
Research suggests that people can benefit from choosing a partner with different HLA genes, which results in stronger partnerships, increased chances of reproduction, healthier offsprings, and even better parental care.
This project examines whether our genetic compatibility (or lack thereof) impacts how much love and happiness we experience in our relationships. Additionally, the researchers examine whether modern social practices such as hormonal birth control and usage of perfume interfere with this natural process of choosing a partner. They will also answer vital questions: Is having a genetically different partner makes relationships stronger and more satisfying? Does compatibility of HLA between partners lead to better fertility results and healthier pregnancies? Are the children of genetically compatible parents healthier, especially in traditional societies, where children mortality rate is greater? Last, but not least, in what ways does the relation of HLA with quality of life in relationships differ between western and traditional societies?
This is an exciting project for a few reasons. First of all, majority of related research concentrates on WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) societies. Researchers will extend this project to traditional cultures in order to obtain answers to hitherto unresolved research problems.
Secondly, the project is highly interdisciplinary, combining psychology, anthropology, biology, and even public health.
Lastly, researchers will investigate both the role of genetic differences between partners, and their individual genetic diversity, which is yet to be fully explored, but can be crucial in explaining the quality of life in romantic relationships.
The results may carry significant social consequences, e.g. if traditional societies are more likely to pair up based of compatible HLA than western societies, it could prompt us to rethink the ways in which cultural practices influence our relationships and health. Although researchers do not suggest everyone should analyse their DNA before dating, the results of the research can have serious effect on such branches as relationships coaching, planned parenthood, or even government health policy. Afterall, a bit of science in love can do wonders!
The list of applications selected for funding in the SONATA BIS 14 grant included the project of dr hab. Izabela Lebuda, prof. UWr, titled „Clocking Creative Thinking: Exploring the Dynamics and Efficiency of Metacognition in Individual and Dyadic Creative Processes”. An amount of PLN 1 486 936 was allocated for this project.
Prof. Izabela Lebuda is a PhD in Pedagogy (2012). She works in the department of psychology of creativity of the Institute of Psychology of the University of Wrocław. She deals with conditioning of creative accomplishments, especially environmental factors facilitating development and achievements in artistic, scientific, and innovative jobs.
Description of the awarded project:
How to organise children’s free time during vacations? How to improve efficiency of the team at work? How to engage people in pro-social initiatives? How to persuade them to actively participate in environmentally friendly activities? Answers to these questions can often be found in creativity, which is understood as the ability to generate new and practical ideas. Creativity is essential in everyday life, work, and when facing global challenges. Although a belief that creativity is a free process in which ideas appear spontaneously and uncontrollably is popular, scientific research proves we can consciously manage our imagination.
The project aims to examine how people think of their own creative process when solving problems, i. e. how does metacognition work in creative challenges. The project will investigate three main aspects of metacognition: (1) monitoring, i. e. reflection on own creative process e.g. evaluation of produced ideas; (2) metacognitive control, i. e. conscious management of the creative process, e.g. deciding when to finish generating new ideas and proceed to implementation phase, and (3) knowledge of cognitive mechanisms behind creativity. We will focus on what importance do the dynamics of these three metacognitive aspects have on resolving creative problems.
The project includes seven studies analysing how metacognitive processes occur during the performance of simple, brief tasks typical for research on creativity. Particular focus, however, will be on more complex, everyday issues that require creative thinking.
We presume that as a result of exploring more complex challenges it will be possible to grasp the connection between metacognition and other processes of regulation e.g. emotional management, as well as more global beliefs on own creativity, such as evaluation of own effectiveness in performing creative tasks.
As many issues are resolved in teams, the research will also include an analysis of creative thinking in the context of cooperation – with other people as well as artificial intelligence (AI). The results will serve to devise a series of interventions, which goal is to aid in effective resolution of everyday creative issues through activation of optimal dynamics of metacognition. Proposed research aims to verify theoretical objectives regarding metacognition in creativity and deliver new information on social aspects of regulating creative thinking in team work. The results may be applied both in education and designing solutions based on AI cooperation.
Scientists hope that, as a result, it will become possible to optimise effectiveness in addressing realistic and creative challenges—both in everyday situations and on a global scale.
According to NCN, in MAESTRO and SONATA BIS contests seven grants were awarded to experienced scientists and 63 grants were awarded to people between 5 to 12 years after the PhD. The winners will implement projects in the area of basic research of a total value of almost PLN 235.7 million.
MAETSRO 14 and SONATA BIS 16 are contests, which target researchers with experience in independent scientific work, who wish to obtain funding for more advanced projects that require engagement of many researchers and purchasing or producing research equipment.
MAESTRO and SONATA BIS projects may last 36, 48, or 60 months. There is no upper limit of funding for singular project. Validity of costs is assessed by experts.
Prepared by: Katarzyna Górowicz-Maćkiewicz
Publication date: 28.02.2025
Added by: M.J.
Translated by Nergis Dogan (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
