ISRC Computational Neuroscience, Neurotechnology and Neuro-inspired AI Autumn School (ISRC-CN3)
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Organiser: Other
Attendance type(s): Hybrid
Event Dates: 25 Oct 2021
Background
There have been rapid advancements and investments in research and development in brain sciences, neurotechnology, neural data modelling and neuro-inspired artificial intelligence (AI). These advancements have not only led to deeper understanding of brain functions and disorders, but also the development and application of powerful AI and machine-learning algorithms that affect our everyday life.
The Computational Neuroscience, Neurotechnology and Neuro-inspired AI (CN3) Autumn School aims to train the next generation of researchers on these state-of-the-art developments. This short course will touch on the areas of computational neuroscience, neural data science, neurotechnology and neuro-inspired AI. The School is unique in that important and timely topics either not delivered in other Schools or taught courses, or delivered only individually, will be delivered here in an integrated way. These topics include computational modelling of neural-glial systems, neuromodulators and cognition, neurotechnology, self-repaired intelligent machines and cognitive robotics. Moreover, although neural computation and neuro-inspired AI research are conducted in the island of Ireland, there is very little relevant training and taught courses, especially for early career researchers, in the region; this School aims to bridge this gap.
ISRC-CN3 Autumn School
The Autumn School will be held at the Intelligent Systems Research Centre (ISRC), a major research unit within the School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems at Ulster University in Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The ISRC is dedicated to the creation of intelligent computational systems, taking inspiration from, and learning from, biology and neuroscience. Its research is focused on the design, development and implementation of intelligent computational systems that are capable of learning, reasoning, adapting and evolving and interacting with their environment in a manner which humans would consider “intelligent”. The ISRC is housed in a large, purpose-built facility, with state-of-the-art resources, including neuroimaging, neurotechnology and robotic facilities, and high-performance computing (HPC) facility for big data analytics and large-scale computational simulations. The ISRC is multidisciplinary, with arguably the largest cluster of computational neuroscientists and neuro-inspired AI researchers in the island of Ireland, with strong collaborations with many clinical, biomedical, neuroscience, AI and mental health centres, and industrial partners, allowing its research output to quickly translate into applications.
Academic researchers at the ISRC and invited external speakers will contribute to the delivery of this 5-day School, which consists of lectures during the day and tutorials and labs in the evening. Tutorials and labs will consist of modelling and analysing data related to the lectures, resulting in ‘mini’ projects to consolidate the lectures’ content and encourage active and creative participation. Attendees will have the opportunity to present and share their research work on the final day. Class materials will be made available in advance of the event. Required software (Python and MATLAB) can be downloaded and configured before the event. Foundational topics in mathematical techniques and computer programming will be provided.
Although the School will focus on research communities especially within the Island of Ireland due to its lack of such training, wider participations are welcomed. We particularly encourage applications from advanced undergraduate, masters, graduate diploma, early stage career (Ph.D. students and postdoctoral) researchers, and research scientists and engineers in industrial and clinical sectors. Ideally, participants will have some mathematical background at the UK GCE A level / Irish Leaving Certificate level, some familiarity in computer/scientific programming in languages such as Python, MATLAB or R, or some background knowledge in biology, neuroscience, medicine or psychology.
The School aims to be inclusive by providing high accessibility including those who are underrepresented and/or with caregiving responsibilities, disabilities, and limited funds, and bursaries may be available (please request during registration). In light of this, and the ongoing pandemic, the School will adopt a hybrid (physical and virtual) format, and if the pandemic situation becomes worse, it will be a completely virtual event.
Registration
To register for the Autumn School, please visit the Ulster University Online Store:
https://store.ulster.ac.uk/product-catalogue/faculty-of-computing-engineering/school-of-computing-and-intelligent-systems/isrccn3-autumn-school.
Registration is now FREE!
Contact Details
Name: Dr. KongFatt Wong-Lin
Address: Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering & Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Magee campus, Northland Road, Derr~Londonderry, BT48 7NR, Northern Ireland, UK
Email: k.wong-lin@ulster.ac.uk