TIMELY is a networking project of over 300 scientists working on time and time perception for the exchange of expertise and establishment of new collaborations. TIMELY explores fundamental questions on time perception by bringing together, for the first time, senior and junior scientists from different disciplines and perspectives. Specifically, TIMELY focuses on four main themes:
- Conceptual analysis and measurement of time: Currently, there is no common code of communication as to the different aspects of time perception. A debatable definition also leads to problematic measurement methodologies. Reaching an agreement regarding the conceptual analysis of time will also lead to more efficient and accurate measures of the human/animal time perception.
- Exploring cognitive factors associated with time perception: High variability in time perception has been reported within and between individuals. This variability represents a barrier in understanding time perception. Thus, a close examination of various perceptual and biological processes is needed.
- Extending time research to ecologically-valid stimuli: The majority of time perception research has focused on simple stimuli (unimodal/multimodal but informationally-poor stimuli), necessitating the use of more informationally-rich stimuli (e.g., music) for advancing time perception research that leads to practical applications.
- Uncovering the neural correlates of time perception: Advances in neuroimaging allow observing the brain-in-action. It is necessary to identify the techniques appropriate for studying time perception in both animals and humans and for examining time distortions in specific neurological/psychiatric conditions and other impairments.