Open call for applications to the 2015 round of the EANL Law & Neuroscience Winter School, organized and hosted at the University of Pavia (ECLT Interdepartmental Research Center) in cooperation with

University of Bonn, Germany (prof. Tade Mathias Spranger)
Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands (prof. Pim Haselager)
The Open University, UK (prof. Paul Catley)
University of Manchester, UK (Prof. Lisa Claydon)

Scope and Objective

In their everyday practice, lawyers need to face situations, which are multidisciplinary by definition, such as evaluating scientific elements in a case they are working on, or choosing the best scientific experts to consult.
The use of neuroscientific and advanced technological tools in the legal setting has been recently increasing, due to an enthusiastic approach to the studies on the brain shown by part of the legal community.

Both a faithful or diffident approaches however, can lead to an improper use of these techniques when they are not supported by an actual knowledge and understanding of them.
On the other hand, neuroscientists are more and more involved, in evaluating defendants using specific tools. Their knowledge of the rules, limits and needs of law and courts is often superficial, but the impact of their reports and researches on legal decisions, not only in criminal law but also in civil law can be relevant . A better interdisciplinary interaction between scholars in law and scholars in neuroscience can thus be very fruitful.

Scientists researching in the field of artificial intelligence, robotics and new technologies often have to face the gap between what they can produce and the legal framework for these devices. Last but not least, philosophers and ethicists are also involved in the debate because of the potential ethical and social impact of neuroscientific discoveries and new technological applications.

The Law & Neuroscience Winter School is a school open to scientists and non scientists. Basic scientific information are provided on Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Genetics for non scientists while basic law concept are discussed for non-lawyers. The core of the activity is devoted to the intersection between law and neurosciences, in a comparative perspective. The school is directed to graduate/master – degree students and PhD Students, and professionals. The aim of the school is to provide proper information about the increasingly advanced neuroscientific findings and techniques, and to give students the chance to study how neuroscience impacts on different legal systems and how the philosophical debate about the role of science in shaping ethics and law has been influenced by its recent advancements.

Who can participate

The course is designed for graduate (master-degree) students, PhD Students and early-stage researchers enrolled in the faculties of Law, Philosophy, Neuroscience and Psychology, and professionals in the field of Law, Psychology or Neuroscience in an early stage of their careers.

Working language

English

Dates and place

The Call for application is open for the fourth edition of the Winter School in Law & Neuroscience, which will take place at the University of Pavia -Italy, from 16 to 21 February.

Attending the 80% of classes is mandatory.

Costs and scholarship

The selected participants are in charge of arranging and paying their own travel and accommodation in Pavia, Italy. The International office the University of Pavia will provide information about housing solutions in Pavia.
The registration fee is € 400 and covers the tuition, the course materials and meals at the University canteen.

Evaluation

At the end of the Winter School, students will be awarded with a Certificate of attendance where the number of ECTS will be also indicated.
ECTS AWARDED by the University of Pavia: 4

Selection criteria

The assessment will be made on the basis of the candidates’ qualifications, fluency in English, academic preparation and motivation.

How to apply

The Application form can be downloaded from the website: http://www .unipv-lawtech.eu/

The application form should be sent, together with the application package, to: barbara.bottalico@unipv-lawtech.eu and marialaura.fiorina@gmail.com

The package consists of two parts as listed below:

Part 1: A statement of interest, written in English, of no more than 5.000 characters, including spaces.

Part 2: A CV, written in English, with the candidate’s professional data (name, date of birth, institute/place of work, current position), contact information, field of research and main publications.

Deadline for applications: 10 December 2014

The commission will communicate the results to the applicants by 15 December, and the selected participants will have to sign an acceptance or refusal form that will be sent to them by email, and to pay the fee by 20 December.

The Programme will be available on the website: http://www .unipv-lawtech.eu/

Further information:

Academic information about the Programme:
barbara.bottalico@unipv-lawtech.eu

How to get to Pavia: http://www.unipv.eu/online/en/Home/UsefulInformation/HowtogettoPavia.html –
Information about the town of Pavia: http://www.unipv.eu/on-line/en/Home/UsefulInformation/LivinginPavia.html