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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250501T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250501T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T055859
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SUMMARY:Workshop: Cognition in Social Contexts: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
DESCRIPTION:ZOOM LINK\nWorkshop Registration\nRegistration is now CLOSED. Thank you for your interest. \nSee below for updated workshop program. \nIn recent decades\, many new research fields have emerged at the intersection of the social and cognitive sciences\, such as cognitive sociology (e.g.\, Zerubavel\, 1997)\, cognitive anthropology D’Andrade\, 1992)\, cultural psychology (e.g.\, Shweder\, 1991)\, and social neuroscience (Cacioppo & Berntson\, 2002)\, to name a few. While researchers in these fields have sought to leverage insights from both branches of science to investigate human cognition in various societal contexts—social\, cultural\, political\, historical\, technological\, and economic\, they face significant conceptual\, ontological\, epistemological\, and methodological challenges when conducting their investigations (see Ignatow\, 2014; Kaidesoja et al.\, 2019; Strydom\, 2007; Turner\, 2018 for instance). \nThis one-day workshop focuses on philosophical issues that arise at the intersection of the E-cognitive sciences (E—embodied\, enactive\, extended\, embedded\, ecological\, evolutionary\, etc.)\, and the social sciences. For instance\, how do researchers at this intersection conceptualize and model the relationship between mind\, brain\, body\, and society? What approaches do they adopt to reconcile and/or use dissimilar theories\, concepts\, and explanations from different research programs? How do researchers identify scientific objects\, levels of analysis\, and research methods for investigating the phenomena of their interest? In what ways does their interdisciplinary work contribute to the scientific understanding of human cognition and behavior? What are the implications of their work for traditional philosophical questions about the mind\, self\, agency\, and society? \nThis workshop aims to (1) explore interdisciplinary approaches to studying human cognition in society and identify points of convergence and divergence\, (2) gauge the contribution of these approaches to the advancement of scientific understanding of the mind\, (3) foster interdisciplinary conversations between E-cognitive scientists\, social scientists\, and philosophers\, (4) explore opportunities for potential collaboration between different research groups\, and (5) explore the role that institutions play in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific progress. \n\nWorkshop Themes and Questions\nWe invite submissions that address\, but are not limited to\, the following themes and questions: \n\nnE approaches to social cognition\nCognitive social science\nSocial ontology\nSocial agency and collective action\nScientific practices\n\nHow do researchers from the E-cognitive sciences (ECS)\, such as those working in the traditions of ecological psychology\, enactivism\, and phenomenology\, conceptualize the relationship between mind and society? \nWhat role does the environment—ecological\, social\, cultural\, political\, historical\, technological\, economic—play in shaping human social interactions and cognition? \nWhat constraints\, if any\, enable and limit interdisciplinary work\, conversations\, and collaborations? \n\nKeynote Speaker\nOur keynote speaker for the event is Stephen Turner\, Distinguished University Professor\, USF. Prof. Turner has numerous publications on the topic of the workshop\, including Cognitive Science and the Social: A Primer and Understanding the Tacit. \n\nWorkshop Program\n\n\n\n8:30-8:50\nCoffee and light refreshments\n\n\nMorning Session (Chair: Michael L. Anderson)\n\n\n8:50-9:20\nJay McKinney (Carleton College)\nInteractionist Cognitive Science\n\n\n9:20-9:50\nJustin Daduya (University of the Philippines Diliman)\nWhat Even Is Ideology?: A Cognitive Science-Driven Research Agenda\n\n\n9:50-10:00\nCoffee Break\n\n\n10:00-11:00\nStephen Turner (University of South Florida)\nKeynote address: Where are we now\, and where we might retrace steps\n\n\n11:00-12:00\nInvited lightning talks (Priscila Barros\, Manpreet Rai\, Jonathan De Souza)\n\n\n12:00-13:30\nLunch Break\n\n\nAfternoon Session (Chair: Priscila Ribeiro Prado Barros)\n\n\n13:30-14:00\nShayan Morshedi (Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador)\nBridging Meta-Memory to Collective Memory: Meta-Collective Memory\n\n\n14:00-14:30\nFrederic Mirindi (University of Manitoba) and Derrick Mirindi (Morgan State University)\nThe Economic Implications of Cognitive AI: A Social-Computational Framework for Understanding Machine Intelligence\n\n\n14:30-15:00\nKonrad Werner (University of Warsaw\nThe Enactment of Problems and Institutions to Solve Them\n\n\n15:00-15:10\nCoffee Break\n\n\n15:10-15:40\nEmma Otterski\nUnderstanding Others’ Emotions: Social Status and Attention to Context\n\n\n15:40-16:10\nVarun Ravikumar (Western University)\nHabitus and Affordance: Towards a Radical Embodied Cognitive Social Science\n\n\n16:10-17:00\nPanel Discussion\n\n\nClosing remarks\n\n\n\n \n\nFinancial and Travel Information\nThere are no registration fees for the workshop. Unfortunately\, we are unable to provide funding for transportation or accommodation for selected workshop participants. We encourage participants to explore financial support options through their home institutions. For applicants from countries requiring a Canadian travel visa\, please review the visa appointment and processing times at your local Canadian embassy before you apply. Successful applicants will receive an invitation letter to support their visa application. \n\nContact Information\nFor any inquiries\, please contact: Prof. Michael L. Anderson [mande54@uwo.ca]\, Varun Ravikumar [vraviku@uwo.ca]. \n\nAcknowledgements\nThis workshop is organized by Michael L. Anderson\, Scott Schaffer\, Varun Ravikumar\, Priscila Ribeiro Prado Barros\, and Eysan Demirkaya as part of the Rotman Interdisciplinary Think Tank Award Project “Ecological Psychology in Society.”
URL:https://www.rotman.uwo.ca/event/workshop-cognition-in-social-contexts/
LOCATION:Western Interdisciplinary Research Building\, Perth Dr.\, London\, Ontario\, N6A 3K7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Past Events,Philosophy of Mind & Neuroscience
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250505T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250505T180000
DTSTAMP:20260409T055859
CREATED:20250320T181950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250522T135935Z
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SUMMARY:Research Retreat: Election Interference and Security In A Contested Infosphere
DESCRIPTION:Join the Rotman Institute of Philosophy\, the Electro-Governance Group (EGG)\, the Department of Political Science and the Starling Center for Just Technologies for a research retreat bringing together scholars from across disciplines and departments at Western to share research and perspectives on the political and security challenges to democracies arising from technological and political-economic change in the media ecosystem. \nWhen: Monday\, May 5th from 12:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.\nWhere: Weldon Library Community Room \nPlease follow this link to register and participate: Registration Form \nMore info: \nElection interference is a central concern in political and security discourse\, but what exactly does it entail? What countermeasures are effective\, politically plausible\, and consistent with democratic values? What assumptions about communication\, mediation\, and representation underlie these concerns? \nWe imagine democracies as responsive to public opinion\, yet opinion formation and measurement are vulnerable to technologically aided manipulation. The ability to engage in meaningful dialogue and coordinate representative action is increasingly undermined. Sometimes deliberately\, sometimes as a byproduct of sociotechnical systems that mediate our interactions. As distinctions between foreign and domestic actors\, media and technology organizations\, and security and civic interests blur\, election interference is expanding in scope while theoretical and policy responses remain limited. \nThis research retreat will bring together scholars at Western to examine the political and security challenges arising from technological and political-economic shifts in the media ecosystem. We invite discussion on conditions that enable mis/dis/mal information\, polarizing narratives\, and media affordances that silence or amplify voices\, shape agendas\, and disrupt sensemaking. Relevant topics include platform governance\, trust and safety\, recommendation and moderation algorithms\, privacy\, political communication\, surveillance\, election law\, persuasive technology\, and propaganda. \nThe retreat will consist of a series of workshop sessions with options for 10 minute presentations or 3-5 minute lightening talks\, and panel discussions. Finally\, we aim to foster future collaboration with student\, faculty\, and community researchers through a dedicated session for those interested in joining an ongoing working group and taking part in grants and future projects.
URL:https://www.rotman.uwo.ca/event/research-retreat-election-interference-and-security-in-a-contested-infosphere/
LOCATION:Private: Weldon Library Community Room\, Western University - 1151 Richmond Street\, London\, ON\, N6A 3K7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Other Conferences,Past Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250508T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250508T150000
DTSTAMP:20260409T055859
CREATED:20250328T150340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T185445Z
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SUMMARY:Research Retreat: Human-AI Relationships
DESCRIPTION:Join The Rotman Institute of Philosophy for a Research Retreat on Human-AI Relationships. \nWho: Western University research community\nWhen: Thursday\, May 08\, 2025\nTime: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.\nWhere: WIRB 3000\, Western University \nThe Rotman Institute of Philosophy is excited to host a one-day research retreat on the topic of Human-AI Relationships. Our goal is to bring together a diverse group of experts—philosophers\, engineers\, computer scientists\, anthropologists\, historians\, psychologists\, and more—to explore the complex\, multifaceted nature of human-AI relationships. \nThis retreat will offer an opportunity for Western researchers to share their current research and explore new collaborations at a time when foundational\, transdisciplinary perspectives on the impact and opportunities of AI are urgently needed. \nThe retreat will feature short talks\, panel discussions\, and networking opportunities. Topics to be discussed will include design of AI interfaces\, impact on knowledge creation\, ethical implications\, technological applications\, effects on social trust\, and more! A detailed list of presentations and the full program will be posted on our event page closer to the date. \nFor questions or inquiries\, please contact Paul Arnold (parnold6@uwo.ca). \nDue to a high number of responses\, registration for the event is now CLOSED. \nThe Rotman Institute is establishing an Interdisciplinary Working Group (IWG) to continue to explore the topic of Human-AI Relationships. This group will provide opportunities for people to share their research and network around shared interests. \nPlease contact Paul (parnold6@uwo.ca) if you would like to be added to the contact list for that group. \nPROGRAM SCHEDULE \nFor full program details\, please CLICK HERE. \n\n\n\n8:30-8:50am\nRegistration & Light Refreshments\n\n\n8:50-9:00am\nWelcome & Introduction\n\n\n9:00-10:00am\nSESSION 1: HUMANIZING AI\n\n\n10:00-10:15am\nCoffee Break & Networking Activities\n\n\n10:15-11:15pm\nSESSION 2: TRUST IN AND DEPENDENCE ON AI\n\n\n11:15-11:55am\nPanel Discussion 1: Humanizing AI\, and Trust in and Dependence on AI\n\n\n11:55am-1:15pm\nLunch & Networking Activities\n\n\n1:15-2:15pm\nSESSION 3: INTEGRATING AI\n\n\n2:15-2:30pm\nCoffee Break & Networking Activities\n\n\n2:30-3:00pm\nPanel Discussion 2: Integrating AI\n\n\n3:00pm\nClosing Remarks
URL:https://www.rotman.uwo.ca/event/research-retreat-human-ai-relationships/
LOCATION:Room 3000 – Western Interdisciplinary Research Building\, Western University\, London\, Ontario\, N6A 3K7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Annual Rotman Conferences,Past Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250525
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250529
DTSTAMP:20260409T055859
CREATED:20250320T164703Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250610T185806Z
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SUMMARY:2025 Annual Philosophy of Physics Conferences
DESCRIPTION:Empiricism and the Methodology of Modern PhysicsREGISTRATION LINKZOOM LINKMay 25-26\n\nThe structure of theories and how they represent the natural world\, through introducing basic principles and asserting the existence of unobserved entities\, have been central questions in philosophy of science over the last century. Bill Demopoulos\, George Smith\, and Howard Stein all developed sophisticated versions of empiricism to address these questions\, inspired in part by careful analysis of scientific practice.  All three acknowledged the centrality of measurement in evidential reasoning in physics\, and argued that understanding this role properly requires moving past earlier accounts of methodology — such as the method of hypotheses\, inference to the best explanation\, partial interpretation\, and structural isomorphism.  This conference will focus on work that considers the methodology of physics from a similar perspective\, with an eye towards the development of a more satisfactory account of the structure and interpretation of physical theories.\n\n\nClick here for the Philosophy of Physics Conference Poster.\n\n\n\nConfirmed SpeakersConference Schedule: May 25Conference Schedule: May 26Information for AttendeesConfirmed Speakers\n\n\nMike Cuffaro (MCMP)\n\n\nMolly Kao (U de Montreal)\n\n\nJames Mattingly (Georgetown)\n\n\nMichael Miller (Toronto)\n\n\nMiguel Ohnesorge (Cambridge / Boston University)\n\n\nLydia Patton (Virginia Tech)\n\n\nChris Pincock (Ohio State)\n\n\nSimon Saunders (Oxford)\n\n\nJim Weatherall (UC Irvine)\n\n\nConference Schedule: May 25\nConference Schedule: Sunday\, May 25 – WIRB Room #3000\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n9:15\n\n\nIntroductory remarks\n\n\n\n\n9:30\n\n\nSimon Saunders – Principle and constructive theories of physical probability\, and Bell inequalities\n\n\n\n\n10:45\n\n\nCoffee break\n\n\n\n\n11:00\n\n\nMichael Cuffaro – Methodological Realism and Quantum Mechanics\n\n\n\n\n12:15\n\n\nLunch\n\n\n\n\n14:00\n\n\nMolly Kao – Blind analysis as coherence testing\n\n\n\n\n15:15\n\n\nCoffee break\n\n\n\n\n15:45\n\n\nJames Mattingly – Ideal Empiricism\n\n\n\n\n17:00\n\n\nEnd of conference\n\n\n\n\n\nConference Schedule: May 26\nConference Schedule: Monday\, May 26 – WIRB Room #7110\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n9:00\n\n\nLydia Patton – Beyond the Background: Gravitational Waves and the Field Equations\n\n\n\n\n10:15\n\n\nCoffee Break\n\n\n\n\n10:30\n\n\nMiguel Ohnesorge – Newton’s Open Problem: The Troubled Microphysics of Gravitation \n\n\n\n\n11:45\n\n\nChristopher Pincock – Demopoulos on theories\n\n\n\n\n13:00\n\n\nLunch\n\n\n\n\n14:30\n\n\nMichael Miller – Epistemic and Semantic Effective Realism \n\n\n\n\n15:45\n\n\nCoffee Break\n\n\n\n\n16:00\n\n\nJames Weatherall – TBD\n\n\n\n\n17:15\n\n\nEnd of conference\n\n\n\n\nInformation for Attendees\nFor individuals traveling to London for the conference\, we offer the following suggestions & general information: \nAccommodations \nHotels close to campus include: \n\nStationPark All Suite Hotel\nHilton London Ontario\nResidence Inn London Downtown\nIvey Spencer Leadership Centre\n\nTransportation \nOur local airport code is YXU (London\, Ontario\, Canada). It can sometimes be less expensive to fly into either Toronto or Detroit\, then take an airport shuttle van (Robert Q) or bus (Flixbus) into London. \nThe London Transit Commission has several bus routes (2\, 6\, 9C\, 10\, 13\, 31\, 32\, 33 and 34) that drop off somewhere on or near the university. Buses tend to run every 15 to 30 minutes (depending on the line\, and day of the week). Visit the London Transit Commission website for bus routes and estimated bus arrival times. \nConference Location & Parking \nThe event will be held in the Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB)\, in Room 3000 on Day 1 and Room 7110 on Day 2. The Visual Arts parking lot (permit-only) is located between WIRB and the Labatt Visual Arts Building. Complimentary parking is available on campus on Sunday\, May 25. However\, on Monday\, May 26\, attendees are kindly asked to use one of the HONK Mobile or Pay & Display parking meters to park their vehicles. \nPlease refer to the campus parking map for the locations of available lots and meters. \nLogic\, Mathematics\, and Physics Graduate ConferenceREGISTRATION LINKMay 27-28\nThe Logic\, Mathematics\, and Physics (LMP) Graduate Conference at Western University is an annual event that aims to foster collaboration and critical engagement among graduate students researching the philosophies of physics\, mathematics\, and logic. The conference includes presentations from graduate students who have not yet defended their PhD theses\, providing them with an opportunity to share their research and engage in discussions with peers and experts in the field and to obtain feedback. This year\, the conference welcomes keynote speaker Steven Weinstein\, Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo and Affiliate of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. His research focuses on the foundations of physics\, the nature of time\, and interpretations of quantum mechanics. \nClick here for the LMP Conference Poster \n2025 LMP Graduate Student Conference Schedule\nMay 27th\n09:00am – Arrival\, light breakfast\, coffee \n09:30am – Javier Medina Barrientos (UCSD)\, “Philosophical Puzzles of Warp Drive Spacetimes” \n10:45am – Shelly Shi (UCSD)\, “Why Not a Gravitational Perpetual Motion Machine?” \n11:45am – Lunch \n01:00pm – Michael Huber\, “An Attempt to Showcase Conceptual Incoherence of Anti-Realist Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics” \n02:15pm – Dominic Ryder (LSE)\, “Is Black Hole Evaporation Prediction Friendly?” \n03:45pm – Steven Weinstein (University of Waterloo)\, Keynote Address \n07:00pm – Conference Supper \nMay 28th\n09:00am – Arrival\, light breakfast\, coffee \n09:30am – Patrick Fraser (University of Toronto)\, “Quantity Valuation in Algebraic Quantum Theory” \n10:45am – Ellen Shi (UC Irvine)\, “Algebraic Formalisms and Relationalism” \n11:45am – Lunch \n01:00pm – Paola Fontana (University of Genoa)\, “Abductive Arguments for Paraconsistency” \n02:15pm – Bosco Garcia (UCSD)\, “Neural Entropy: Between Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics” \n03:15pm – Awarding of the Robert K. Clifton Memorial Book Prize
URL:https://www.rotman.uwo.ca/event/2025-annual-philosophy-of-physics-conferences/
LOCATION:Western Interdisciplinary Research Building\, Perth Dr.\, London\, Ontario\, N6A 3K7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Other Conferences,Past Events,Philosophy of Physics
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