Ben Seymour BSc MB ChB PhD MRCP FRSA

My lab addresses the computational and systems neuroscience of pain. This research is part theoretical: building realistic models of neuronal information processes to understand processes of pain perception and behaviour, and part experimental: testing these theories using a range of experimental methodologies, especially fMRI. My research aims to develop new technology-based therapies for treating pain in clinical populations.

I am a Wellcome Senior Clinical Fellow at Oxford University, working jointly at the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging and the Oxford Institute for Biomedical Engineering; and a visiting researcher at ATR labs (Kyoto). I am a Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute with an interest in safe AI control systems. I am also an honorary consultant neurologist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust with an interest in behavioural homeostasis and sleep, pain and fatigue neurology.

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• Turing Fellow
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

The lab addresses the computational and systems neuroscience of pain. This research is part theoretical: building realistic models of neuronal information processes to understand processes of pain perception and behaviour, and part experimental: testing these theories using a range of experimental methodologies, especially fMRI. The research aims to develop new technology-based therapies for treating pain in clinical populations, and looks to develop broader applications of brain inspired ‘safe learning systems’ in AI and robotics.

• UKRI Neurotechnology Network for Chronic pain (2022-2025). With colleagues from Glasgow, Cardiff, Plymouth and Exeter, this project lays a foundation for the development of state-of-the-art clinical neuroengineering and neurotechnology for pain and associated symptoms of fatigue and disability.

• Versus/MRC The Role of Learning in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (2022-2025). With colleagues in Cambridge, this project develops digital technologies for understanding how maladaptive cognitive and motor learning play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic pain.

• Wellcome Neural Mechanisms of Endogenous Analgesia (2020-2025). This project aims to identify how the brain switches off pain in various situations, using computational models of pain, and neuroimaging.

• IITP/KAIST Developing Safe AI systems (2018-2022). With colleagues in KAIST (South Korea), this project explores how to design adaptive autonomous control systems that prioritize safety.

• Versus/NICT Pain, Action, Movement Network (2017-2022). With colleagues in Japan, this project builds a collaborative network for studying the role of movement in pain.