Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Neuroenhancement: Current Developments and Impact on the Individual and Society.

Conference data: December 10-12, 2024.

Location: University of Bielefeld, Center for Interdisciplinary Research, ZiF, Bielefeld, Germany

Travel support: Accepted speakers will receive meals at the conference, accommodation (organized by the conference), and transportation (approximately 100€ for guests from Germany, 300€ for guests from Europe, and 1,200€ for guests from outside Europe).

Keynotes: Caterina Cinel (University of Essex, UK), Marcello Lenca (Technical University of Munich, GER), Ty Schepis (Texas State University, USA), Anna Wexler (University of Pennsylvania, USA)

Topics:

  1. What is currently possible with neurotechnology (e.g., pharmaceuticals and other substances, BCIs, stimulation devices) concerning the achievement of cognitive enhancement, and which developments can be expected in the (near) future?
  2. What are the associated ethical, legal, and social issues of (ref-)using neurotechnology for cognitive enhancement?
  3. Which empirical evidence underlines the extent of these issues (e.g., studies on prevalence, causes, and consequences of cognitions and emotions on such neurotechnology as well as of the respective use/non-use on the individual and society)?
  4. How should possible prevention of detrimental individual and societal consequences of neurotechnology use/non-use or regulations and legal norms reflect this (e.g., how to deal with the uncertainties of neurotechnology including counseling users, training people (building literacy), advertising techs, media representation, or changes in law)?

Deadline: Until May 15, we welcome contributions from sociology, psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, philosophy, bioethics, medicine, law, and the political science.

Some of you previously indicated interest in presenting at the conference. The final decision about presentations will be made based on submissions to the Call for Papers.

Financial conference support: Center for Interdisciplinary Research & Fritz-Thyssen Foundation.

Link to Call for Papers: https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/soziologie/forschung/projekte/enhance/conf/call/CfP_10-12Dec2024_Neuroenhancement_Conference_ZiF.pdf

Link to website: https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/soziologie/forschung/projekte/enhance/index.xml