DIRECTOR

Erica is an interdisciplinary scientist interested in the evolution of communication and social cognition. She is Professor of Cognitive Science, Anthropology, Animal Behavior, Psychology, and Informatics at IU Bloomington and an External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute. She works with many animal species, including humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, dogs, and birds. She runs the COMPARE lab and collaborates with the Indianapolis Zoo.

Erica co-directs the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute (DISI), and chairs the Evolution of Language (EVOLANG) conference series.

DIRECTOR

Jacob is an interdisciplinary scientist interested in culture, cognition, complexity, and computation. He is Professor of Cognitive Science and Informatics at IU Bloomington and External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute. Jacob blends computational and mathematical methods with qualitative and philosophical insights to study collective intelligence, the evolutionary dynamics of ideas, the co-construction of culture and mind, non-ordinary states of consciousness, and alternative approaches to AI. He is also working to reimagine social science as a science of the possible. He directs the ESOTERIC lab at IU.

Jacob co-directs the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute (DISI).

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Sarah is a Ph.D. candidate in musicology with a minor in media studies at the IU Jacob’s School of Music. Her research interests include exploring the intersections of cybernetics and experimental art, emphasizing questions of agency. She is also an alumna of the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys scuba diving, good food, running, swimming, and going on adventures with her husband, Brian, and Manford, their charismatic Shetland sheepdog.

FINANCIAL MANAGER

Amanda handles the grants and finances for the Center for Possible Minds. She is also the Associate Director for Administration for the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute. Outside of work, Amanda is a drummer and avid photographer.

We are currently hiring several postdoctoral fellows to conduct interdisciplinary research and lead initiatives to develop new perspectives on questions about mind and cognition. To learn more about the positions, please search for posting IU-101268-2025 on the IU jobs website.