Prof. Dr. Dr. Marco Ragni

My research interests lie at the interface between computational cognitive science and artificial intelligence, with a focus on the analysis and modeling of complex cognitive processes. I aim at algorithmic models that allow specific prediction of human behavior and, in particular, conclusions. I am currently also researching the interaction between people and systems and how systems can be enabled to anticipate the cognition of an individual so that they can work together, analogous to another person, to form a real team.

• Predictive modeling of cognitive processes, especially conclusions and decision-making processes
• Formal and cognitive knowledge representation and knowledge revision
• Cognitive modeling, especially in the area of ​​information processing and machine learning methods
• Neural localization of thought processes (especially using fMRI, TMS and tDCS)
• Cognitive systems, social robotics and human-system interaction, especially teaming

• Since 03/2023: Coordination of the tri-university CHIM network (TU Chemnitz, TU Ilmenau, OVGU Magdeburg)
• Since 12/2022: Scientific Director of the Center for Humans and Technology (Mensch und Technik)
• Since 09/2021: Head of the Professorship of Predictive Behavior Analysis, Chemnitz University of Technology
• 08/2020-08/2021: Member of DIAS (Danish Institute of Advanced Studies) at Syddansk Universitet (SDU), Denmark; external member since 08/2021
• 07/2017: Appointment as adjunct professor (apl. Prof.) at the University of Freiburg and establishment of the Cognitive Computation Labs
• 08/2015: Habilitation and Venia Legendi for General Psychology and Methods, Faculty of Economics and Behavioral Sciences, University of Freiburg
• 03/2015: Funding in the DFG Heisenbergprogramm (untill 07/2020)
• 01/2015: Habilitation and Venia Legendi for Cognitive Science, Faculty of Economics and Behavioral Sciences, University of Freiburg
• 07/2014: Habilitation (Venia Legendi) for Computer Science, Faculty of Technology, University of Freiburg. Thesis: Models, systems and algorithms for high-level cognition: reasoning and problem solving.
• 2013: Ph.D. (Dr. phil.) in cognitive science. Thesis: The psychology of spatial-relational thinking
• 08/2008-2012: Board member and treasurer of the Society for Cognitive Science
• 01/2008-2014: Academic Council at the Center for Cognitive Science at the University of Freiburg
• 01/2008: Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat.) in computer science. Thesis: Spatial representation, complexity and deduction: A cognitive complexity theory
• 2002-2007: Research assistant at the “Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence” chair at the University of Freiburg
• 1995-2001: Studied mathematics and computer science at the University of Freiburg

• Rother, A., Notni, G., Hasse, A., Noack, B., Beyer, C., Reißmann, J., Zhang, C., Ragni, M., Arlinghaus, J. C., & Spiliopoulou, M. (2023). Productive teaming under uncertainty: when a human and a machine classify objects together.
• Ragni, M., Brand, D., & Riesterer, N. (2021). The Predictive Power of Spatial Relational Reasoning Models: A New Evaluation Approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.
• Riesterer, N., Brand, D., & Ragni, M. (2020). Predictive Modeling of Individual Human Cognition: Upper Bounds and a New Perspective on Performance. Topics in Cognitive Science, 12(3), 960–974.
• Johnson-Laird, P. N., & Ragni, M. (2019). Possibilities as the foundation of reasoning. Cognition, 193, 103950.
• Ragni, M., Kola, I., & Johnson-Laird, P. N. (2018). On selecting evidence to test hypotheses: A theory of selection tasks. Psychological Bulletin, 144(8), 779–796.
• Wertheim, J., & Ragni, M. (2018). The Neural Correlates of Relational Reasoning: A Meta-analysis of 47 Functional Magnetic Resonance Studies. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 30(11), 1734–1748.
• Ragni, M., Eichhorn, C., & Kern-Isberner, G. (2016). Simulating human inferences in the light of new information: A formal analysis. In Kambhampati, S., editor, Proceedings of the Twenty-Fifth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence, IJCAI 2016, New York, NY, USA, pages 2604-2610. IJCAI/AAAI Press.
• Ragni, M., Franzmeier, I., Maier, S., & Knauff, M. (2016). Uncertain relational reasoning in the parietal cortex. Brain and Cognition, 104, 72–81.
• Ragni, M., & Knauff, M. (2013). A theory and a computational model of spatial reasoning with preferred mental models. Psychological Review, 120(3), 561-588.
• Moratz, R., & Ragni, M. (2008). Qualitative spatial reasoning about relative point position. Journal of Visual Languages and Computing, 19(1), 75–98.