Paris Brain Institute, June 2-4th 2025

The workshop will be held at Learning Planet Institute venue.

---

Applying machine learning and other models to decode behavioral parameters from neural activity is now a standard procedure in neuroscience. These approaches are often used to demonstrate that a specific neural population processes information related to behavior, or that certain patterns of brain activity represent external stimuli. They are instrumental in investigating neural coding strategies and uncovering the computations performed by neural ensembles.

However, this framework has not been without its critics.

At an epistemological level, the notion that the brain’s primary role is to encode and decode information has been questioned by neuroscientists and philosophers alike. Ambiguity often surrounds the concept of „encoding,” including what is meant by it and the criteria required for neural activity to be considered as encoding a particular feature. Therefore, the aim of this workshop, organized with Paris Brain Institute, will be to perform an in-depth analysis and discussion of this framework and see examples of how, when, and why it should be applied – or challenged.

Our speakers are:

• Mazviita Chirimuuta (Unversity of Edinbrough)
• Henry Yin (Duke University)
• Romain Brette (Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics)
• Farid Zahnoun (University of Antwerp)
• Heike Stein (Sorbonne Université Paris)
• Alfonso Renart (Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme)

The workshop is designed to span three days, comprising six 3-hour sessions. Each session will feature an interactive talk by one of the invited speakers, followed by an in-depth discussion. The talks will address various methodological and epistemological aspects of the techniques used in neuroscience to decode information from neural activity. The workshop will focus on the following key topics:

1. Methodology. What are the strengths and limitations of methods used to analyze neural signals for decoding information? Under what conditions can they be appropriately applied? What insights do they provide about the relationship between brain activity and behavior? And what are the common pitfalls and errors in their use?
2. Epistemology. What do we mean when we say that the brain encodes information? Is it a metaphor, or can it be used in a literal sense? Is encoding a valid and meaningful concept, or is it an artifact of the analytical methods we use and the biases of the observer?
3. Experimental frameworks. If the encoding paradigm presents challenges, what viable alternatives exist? How might we design experiments differently to address questions about neural activity and behavior, depending on the theoretical framework we adopt? We will explore these questions, encouraging participants to think critically about how theoretical premises influence experimental design. We will discuss and outline alternative experimental approaches, demonstrating how the same research question can be investigated through different theoretical lenses, offering new insights and perspectives.

We aim at creating a productive atmosphere for in-depth discussions among a small group of participants (16 PhD students/early career researchers) from diverse backgrounds, who implement various experimental paradigms in their research. Joining them will be invited speakers representing a range of theoretical frameworks and fields of study, ensuring a rich exchange of ideas.

This workshop is part of an ongoing series of focused events under the umbrella of School of Ideas in Neuroscience (https://nenckiopenlab.org/school-of-ideas-2024/), addressing the growing need for theoretical discourse in neuroscience. The previous events were successfully held in Italy and Poland and covered the topics of naturalistic paradigms in neuroscience and the application of a developmental approach in the study of behaviour. The concentrated and targeted format of these workshops has proven effective in promoting critical rethinking of mainstream experimental frameworks.

The workshop will be held in Paris, June 2-4th. The workshop fee is EUR 250 and covers lunch and coffee breaks. We offer fee waivers and travel grants. Please find the application form HERE. The deadline for registration is May 11th.

The workshop is funded by the Paris Brain Institute.

Organizers