The Music & the Brain Summer School is an ESCoP-sponsored international event that will take place in Pavia (Italy) from June 22 to 26, 2026. The school is organized by the MusiCognition Lab at the University of Pavia (Carlotta Lega and Laura Ferreri), within the framework of an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program (BIP), in collaboration with Université Bourgogne Europe (Barbara Tillmann) and Aarhus University (Peter Keller). The summer school aims to provide students, early-career researchers, and professionals with an up-to-date overview of the neuroscience and psychology of music, spanning sensorimotor integration, cognition, emotion, social interaction, and clinical applications. Through lectures by leading international experts, the program will highlight key theoretical frameworks, recent empirical findings, and innovative methodological approaches, while fostering interdisciplinary exchange and international networking. More information about the program and speakers is available at: https://www.musicandbrainsummerschool.musicognitionlab.com/
We are pleased to announce a new event funded by ESCOP: The upcoming MESEC Spring Workshop, "Mental Imagery: Towards the causal study of consciousness," which will take place from May 31th to June 7th, 2026 in Ephesus, Turkey. MESEC (the Mediterranean Society for Consciousness Science) is a grassroots student association focused on organizing inspiring scientific events, and for this workshop, a unique “debate hackathon” format will be held. 20 early-career researchers will form interdisciplinary teams to design and defend innovative ideas. This interactive approach, inspired by Mediterranean traditions of dialogue, aims at developing public speaking skills while maintaining a fun and playful collective experience. Chaired by Dr. Nadine Dijkstra, this workshop aims to move beyond neural correlates to explore causal explanations of consciousness. By examining the diverse properties of mental imagery, from aphantasia to synaesthesia and psychedelic-induced hallucinations, participants will discuss how endogenous percepts shed light on the study of our subjective experience. Thanks to the support of our Society, the organizers announce that applications are currently open! Please visit their event page for more information.
We are delighted to announce that the 11th European Working Memory Symposium (EWoMS) will take place in Lyon, France, from August 26 to 28, 2026. The theme of this edition, “Working Memory, Strategy, and Consciousness,” highlights emerging directions in the field and aims, for the first time, to explicitly bridge traditional cognitive approaches with neuroscientific perspectives on working memory. Particular attention will be given to the interaction between strategic control processes, conscious access, and unconscious mechanisms in shaping working memory performance. As in previous editions, contributions addressing any aspect of working memory are also very welcome. We are also pleased to announce an invited keynote lecture on the impact of strategies on working memory performance by Dr Alexandra Souza (University of Porto). EWoMS 11 will follow a single-track format with plenary oral sessions and dedicated poster sessions, fostering discussion and interdisciplinary exchange. Abstract submission deadline is on the 13th of March 2026, and the registration deadline is on the 20th of June 2026. For mor information, please visit the event’s Website, here. We very much hope you will join us in Lyon!