SATELLITE EVENTS
In addition to the regular conference programme, registrants of ESCOP 2025 will have the chance to take part in the following satellite events at no additional cost prior to the regular conference events. There will be seven events in total: Two satellite events are two full-day workshops taking place Monday and Tuesday, and five further part-day events taking place on just Tuesday (see schedule and details below). Thanks to generous funding from ESCOP, these events have been specifically designed to allow registrants to gain hands-on skills and knowledge for their wider professional development. Participation in any of the satellite events requires sign-up during registration, with places being limited and granted on a first-come, first-served basis. So, please make sure to register as soon as possible to avoid missing out. Registration opens 1st April 2025.
Satellite Event Schedule at a Glance...
Satellite Event Details: Two-Day Workshops on Monday and Tuesday 1st-2nd September
Thanks to generous funding from ESCOP, we are pleased to present the following two-day workshops that will take place Monday and Tuesday prior to the regular conference events. The purpose of running these workshops is for participants to gain valuable experience and skills in state-of-the-art methods and approaches. Note that registrants are only allowed to sign up for one of the two workshops, and they may not sign up for any of the other part-day events taking place only on Tuesday that are described further on. This is because it would not be possible to take part in more than one of the events given their conflicting timing.
Besides the incentive of gaining valuable skills, early-career researchers (i.e., PhD and postdocs) who register for these two workshops are also offered free accommodation for the duration of the whole conference programme (i.e., Sunday 31st August to Saturday 6th September) at Endcliffe Village, which entails a single ensuite room with breakfast included. The purpose of this offer is to ensure that the financial costs of attending an additional workshop and the conference do not outweigh the gains of attendance, particularly for early-career researchers who are most likely to take part in these workshops yet have fewer financial resources than senior colleagues. When registering for either workshop, you will be asked to also select whether you would like to accept this optional accommodation offer. Refreshments during coffee breaks are also provided, but lunch and dinner during the workshop days are not provided.
Given that these workshops and the accommodation offer are likely to be very popular, registrants will be required to pay a £200 deposit to hold their place, which will be refunded after your participation in the workshop. There is no refund for no-shows or any cancellations past 1st August, so please only sign up for a workshop if you are absolutely sure that you will attend, as we want to make sure that the places will be filled by keen and committed attendees who will make the best use of the workshops. Those who do not have a chance to sign up before the capacity limits are reached will be optionally added to a waitlist and offered any free space that becomes available in the order of the waitlist registration.
1. Creating Experiments Using PsychoPy and Pavlovia
Organizers: Rebecca Hirst and Kimberley Dundas from Open Science Tools
Capacity: 30
Taking place: Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd of September, 9:00-17:00
Location: ICOSS B06
PsychoPy is a free, open-source, tool for creating and running experiments in the lab and pavlovia.org is a low-cost server for hosting and sharing experiments online, as well as a place to create surveys (a low-cost Qualtrics alternative). This workshop will introduce you to these tools, together we will create an experiment in PsychoPy builder, learn how to add flexibility to that experiment with python code snippets and launch that experiment online. We aim to make materials useful for beginners but also include useful tips and tricks for those already familiar with PsychoPy and Pavlovia. You do not need to have experience in python coding to attend this workshop (but we hope you learn some python skills as part of the sessions!). If you plan on attending the workshop and have any questions in advance (or questions on specific topics you might like covering) please contact workshops@opensciencetools.org
What you will need to do to prepare: Before the workshop, please make sure that you have a recent version of PsychoPy installed (a 2025 release) and that you have registered for a free pavlovia.org account using your institution's email address. Please check in advance of the session that your PsychoPy installation works (try running one of the example demo experiments in the app), if you encounter any difficulty please let us know and we will do what we can to assist in advance.
2. Analyzing data on the level of cognitive processes
Organizers: Vencislav Popov and Gidon T. Frischkorn
Capacity: 20
Taking place: Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd of September, 9:00-17:00
Location: Diamond Workrooms 1 and 2
Traditional data analyses focus on behavioral performance indicators such as accuracy rates, response times or response selection. Typically, however, researchers are not interested in behavior per se, but in what it can tell us about the underlying cognitive processes. This workshop will introduce the use of cognitive measurement models to analyze data on the level of latent cognitive processes. A cognitive measurement model is a mathematical formalization of a theory that assumes processes that interact and generate the observed behavior in cognitive tasks. Such models are the Diffusion Decision Model (for choice reaction time tasks), the Memory Measurement model (for categorical memory tasks), or the Signal Discrimination model (for continuous reproduction memory tasks). Measurement models decompose one or more behavioral metrics into theoretically meaningful parameters and allow us to express and test scientific hypotheses about what influences these parameters.
In the workshop, we will provide an introduction into the Bayesian Measurement Model (bmm) R package that we developed to provide easy and accessible implementations of cognitive measurement models. We will cover some basic theoretical concepts and then investigate different cognitive measurement models that are implemented in the package. In an advanced track we also show how to add new models to the package for people that are developing their own cognitive measurement models.
What background knowledge is required for the workshop? Ideally you have worked with linear mixed effects models either using Frequentist or Bayesian estimation techniques as implemented in R packages such as: lme4, glmer, brms, or rstanarm. Preferably, you also have some experience with Bayesian statistics (we will not be able to provide an in-depth introduction but will cover basic concepts).
What should you prepare before the workshop? Please bring your own laptop with a current version of R (> 4.0.0) and RStudio installed. In addition, please install the ‘bmm’ package with all its dependencies. More information on the required packages can be found on the bmm GitHub repository: https://github.com/venpopov/bmm
Satellite Event Details: Part-Day Workshops on Tuesday 2nd September
Thanks to generous funding from ESCOP, we are pleased to present the following part-day events that will take place on Tuesday prior to the regular conference events. These events comprise a diverse range of topics, all with the intent to provide attendees with multiple opportunities for professional development. Coffee breaks will be provided, but lunch is not. Note that registering for any given event necessarily precludes registration for other events happening at the same time. Please only sign up for an event if you are absolutely sure that you will attend, as we want to make sure that the places will be filled by keen and committed attendees who will make the best use of the events. Those who do not have a chance to sign up before the capacity limits are reached will be optionally added to a waitlist and offered any free space that becomes available in the order of the waitlist registration.
3. Knowledge Exchange and Public Outreach
Organizers: PhD Committee of the University of Sheffield
Speakers: Dr Annie Brookman-Byrne, Dr Alon Zivony, Prof Anna-Lena Schubert, Katie Pruszynski
Capacity: 160
Taking place: Tuesday 2nd September, 9:00-11:00
Location: Diamond Lecture Theatre 7
How can we effectively share cognitive psychology research with the world? This event features opportunities for discussion with presenters who will share valuable expertise in engaging with stakeholders and participant groups, crafting blog posts, writing opinion pieces, speaking on podcasts, and collaborating with news outlets. Attendees will be given practical guidance about tailoring communication with specific groups including educators, parents, older adults, and previous study participants. Join us to explore strategies for making your research, whatever your career stage, accessible, impactful and engaging for a broader audience.
4. Introduction to Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) in Cognitive Psychology
Organizers: Sabrina Burr and Sheharyar Baig
Capacity: 80
Taking place: Tuesday 2nd September, 9:00-11:00
Location: ICOSS A16
This event will introduce functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and its uses in cognitive psychology research. FNIRS is a non-invasive, relatively inexpensive neuroimaging methodology that measures concentration changes of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin to assess brain activity. Thanks to its portability and tolerance to movement, fNIRS can be used for the study of numerous aspects of cognitive function in ecologically valid settings. It can also be used in combination with other physiological and neuroimaging methodologies, such as eye-tracking, EEG, and TMS. In this event, we will provide an overview of fNIRS followed by a demonstration of how to collect fNIRS data and conduct image reconstruction. No prior knowledge of fNIRS is necessary to attend this event. Reconstruction will be conducted in MATLAB, but participants will not need to have access to MATLAB to attend.
5. AI and Cognition: Rethinking teaching and assessment in the age of generative AI
Organizers: Tim Riley and Tomás McDowell
Capacity: 160
Taking place: Tuesday 2nd September, 9:00-12:30
Location: Diamond Lecture Theatre 2
Generative AI is rapidly reshaping higher education, with profound implications for teaching, learning, and assessment in cognitive psychology. This workshop is designed for university lecturers and researchers in cognitive psychology who want to better understand AI’s evolving role in education, explore its potential as a teaching tool, and discuss strategies for addressing its impact on student assessment. The workshop will entail a series of engaging short talks from experts exploring current trends and challenges in integrating generative AI into cognitive psychology teaching. In addition, there will be an interactive session to facilitate discussion to share experiences and best practices as well as practical approaches to integrating AI to support learning while ensuring academic integrity. Whether you are already incorporating AI tools into your teaching or are looking to develop your awareness of its impact, this event offers a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and shape the future of cognitive psychology education. We invite cognitive psychology educators, researchers, and education specialists to join us in exploring this rapidly evolving landscape. Come and be part of the conversation on how we can best navigate AI’s influence in cognitive psychology teaching and assessment.
6. Creating inclusive and safe academic spaces: Celebrating 25 years of Women in Cognitive Science and looking ahead
Organizers: WiCS Europe
Chairs: Anna Soveri, University of Turku (Finland), and María J. Maraver, University of Granada (Spain)
Speakers: Judith Kroll, University of California, Irvine (USA), Co-Founder of Women in Cognitive Science, and Nura Sidarus, Royal Holloway University of London, UK, from the WiCS-Europe Leadership Team
Capacity: 160
Taking place: Tuesday 2nd September, 13:30-16:30
Location: Diamond Lecture Theatre 7
PANEL DISCUSSION (13:30-15:00)
Women in Cognitive Science (WiCS+) was founded in 2001, envisioned to support the professional development of young scholars in cognitive science. The need for WiCS arose from the historical underrepresentation of women in scientific environments, the necessity to reduce gender stereotypes and biases, and the goal to improve the visibility of both junior and senior women scientists. Significant advances have been made towards reducing gender inequalities over the last 25 years. Yet, many challenges remain, with recent global events reminding us that social change may not follow a linear path, and cannot be taken for granted. This panel will look back at the foundation of WiCS and its trajectory, reflecting on what we have learned to inform how we can go forward in Widening Inclusivity in Cognitive Science (WiCS+), fostering a movement towards greater inclusivity, visibility, and professional growth for everyone in academia.
This event is not restricted to women and we look forward to everyone's participation, all are welcome. The panel discussion will be followed by an open discussion with the audience and a speed mentoring session.
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SPEED MENTORING & RECEPTION (15:00-16:30)
As part of this event, we invite you to participate in the WiCS+E speed mentoring. This part of the session will link junior researchers with senior faculty to meet for up to 45 minutes.
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The timing will allow a single mentor-mentee session, subject to sign-ups. Unlike previous editions, a single mentor-mentee pairing is proposed, allowing ample time for discussion. There is flexibility to either maintain the meeting during the session or open it up to interact freely with other participants during the reception.
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This session will include a coffee reception. WiCS speed mentoring sessions have been held at various international meetings in the US and Europe, including the Psychonomic Society, SARMAC, APS, ICPS, and ESCOP. There are several ground rules for speed mentoring:
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​This is a one-time session (i.e., the mentor is not committing to a longer-term mentoring relationship).
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The mentee should come prepared with one or two specific questions to guide the session and make the most of it.
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The mentee should send their CV and questions to the mentor ahead of the time but should not expect the mentor to have reviewed this information prior to the meeting.
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The information shared during the session is to be kept completely confidential.
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Both mentors and mentees from previous sessions have reported finding the experience very useful. This program is open to scientists of all gender identities, for both mentors and mentees.
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If you are interested in being a mentor, please complete this MENTOR FORM
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If you are interested in being a mentee, please complete this MENTEE FORM
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All responses should be completed by Friday, 1st August 2025. Note that you may wish to sign up as BOTH a mentor and a mentee. For example, a first-year professor may wish for mentoring around earning permanent positions AND may be positioned well to mentor others about navigating through the stages of the PhD program.
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WiCS membership is free and open to scientists of all gender identities. Join WiCS here.
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Contact: wics.europe@gmail.com
https://www.womenincogsci.org/wics-europe
7. Illuminating the Mind's Eye: Advances and Applications of Eye Tracking in Cognitive Psychology
Organizer: Emma Morgan
Capacity: 60
Taking place: Tuesday 2nd September, 13:30-15:30
Location: ICOSS A16
This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge eye tracking applications in psychology. Speakers will present their latest research, showcasing innovative uses of eye tracking techniques. Talks will explore how eye movement data offers unique insights into mental operations inaccessible through traditional data collection methods. A key highlight will be demonstrations of the newest eye tracking hardware and software from Tobii, a global leader in the field. Participants will experience firsthand the capabilities of these systems, including their accuracy, precision, and ease of use. Demonstrations will cover various eye tracking paradigms, from screen-based to mobile and wearable solutions, highlighting their potential for both laboratory and real-world research. The workshop will also foster interactive discussions, providing a platform for sharing best practices in eye tracking methodology. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own research questions and challenges for collaborative problem-solving. This workshop is designed for researchers at all levels, from students to experienced investigators, interested in leveraging eye tracking to advance our understanding of human cognition.