The Brain Conference on Neural Foundations of Communication: Integrative Approaches Across Species
European Network for Brain Evolution Research
Organiser: FENS
Additional Organiser: Lundbeck Foundation, Hellenic Society for Neuroscience
Attendance type(s): In Person
FENS members will benefit from preferential rates
Event Dates: 05—8 Oct 2026
Registration Deadline: 5 May 2026
Location: Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Early registration and stipend applications deadline: 5 May 2026
Regular registration and abstract submission deadline (no further stipend applications accepted): 1 June 2026
Where human language, animal models, and AI meet to uncover how brains enable communication.Co-Chairs
Michael Long
NYU Grossman School of Medicine, US
Daniela Vallentin
MPI for Biological Intelligence, Germany
David Poeppel
New York University, US
Speakers
- María Florencia Assaneo (National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico)
- Banerjee Arkarup (Cold Spring Harbour, United States)
- Gregg Castellucci (University of Rochester, United States)
- Jan Clemens (University of Oldenburg, Germany)
- Coen Elemans (University of South Denmark, Denmark)
- Julia Fischer (University of Göttingen, Germany)
- Judit Gervain (University of Padua, Italy)
- Laura Gwilliams (Stanford University, United States)
- Steffen Hage (University of Tübingen, Germany)
- Richard Hahnloser (ETH Zürich, Switzerland)
- Gregory Hickok (UC Irvine, United States)
- Judith Holler (Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Germany)
- Vincent Janik (University of St Andrews, United Kingdom)
- Benjamin Judkewitz (Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Germany)
- Michael Long (NYU Grossman School of Medicine, United States)
- Cynthia Moss (John Hopkins University, United States)
- David Poeppel (New York University, United States)
- Mariya Toneva (Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, Germany)
- Daniela Vallentin (Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Germany)
- Lena Veit (University of Tübingen, Germany)
- Ziv Williams (Harvard Medical School, United States)
- Marta Manser (University of Zürich, Switzerland)
Why Attend
Integrative by design: Neural Foundations of Communication: Integrative Approaches Across Species unites neuroscience, ethology, linguistics, bioacoustics, cognitive science, and AI/computational modelling around shared questions in communication.
Cross-species insight: compare animal communication and human language research to identify conserved principles and species-specific adaptations.
From signals to mechanisms: dedicated focus on vocal learning, perception, and production, linking behavioural phenomena to neural and computational explanations.
Core themes across development and modality: sessions on vocal signaling, speech and language processing, infant language acquisition, and multimodal communication.
Cutting-edge methods, multiple scales: advances in neural recording, imaging, and computational modelling spanning single neurons to population dynamics and beyond.
Timing, rhythm, and sensorimotor integration: sessions covering auditory processing, temporal coordination, rhythm perception, and sensorimotor integration as building blocks of natural communication.
Intimate format (≤150 participants): designed for real conversation—easier access to speakers, richer discussion, and stronger networking.
Support available: stipend support offered to help facilitate attendance (see eligibility and application details).
The Conference
Photo credit: Julia Kuhl
This interdisciplinary conference brings together leading researchers exploring the neural and behavioral foundations of communication across species. Featured speakers studying human language will present their work, along with experts who focus on a range of diverse animal models, and those leveraging AI, jointly exploring the mechanisms of vocal learning, perception, and production.
The program bridges animal and human communication through sessions on vocal signaling, speech and language processing, infant language acquisition, and multimodal communication. Cutting-edge approaches in neural recording, imaging, and computational modeling will showcase the latest advances for studying communication systems at multiple scales, from single neurons to population dynamics and beyond.
Additional sessions will examine auditory processing, temporal coordination, rhythm perception, and sensorimotor integration, drawing on perspectives from neuroscience, ethology, linguistics, bioacoustics, and cognitive science. This gathering promises productive cross-talk between disciplines, comparing mechanisms underlying communication across the animal kingdom to identify both conserved principles and species-specific adaptations. The conference aims to advance our understanding of how brains generate, perceive, and process communicative signals in both natural and experimental contexts.
This conference is locally organised by the Hellenic Society for Neuroscience.
Organised by FENS in collaboration with the Lundbeck Foundation, awarder of The Brain Prize, these bi-annual conferences bring together in an intimate setting outstanding researchers in key areas of contemporary neuroscience to discuss current concepts and define challenges for future research.