Just before the start of the new semester, the Programme Committee of the Baltic-Nordic Summer School invited students and researchers from all over the world to join them in this year’s summer school titled ‘Learning in the Brain and NeuroRobots - from Molecules to Behaviour with the EBRAINS Training on the Brain Function, Dysfunction and Neurorobotic Systems on Brain Atlasing and Simulation Services available on EBRAINS’, from 21 – 25 September 2021. The Baltic-Nordic Summer School was first established in 2013 to further the exchange between researchers from the Baltic-Nordic countries, but has since then also attracted participants world-wide.

The first-ever virtual edition

Due to the persisting Covid climate this year’s event was held virtually for the first time in its history. The online format made it possible for organizers to host 169 participants from 44 different countries, of which 46% were women. The attendees awaited a varied program, with topics ranging from Neuroscience to Neurorobotics. Each day a different topic was put into focus. Renowned researchers from 12 different countries around the world gave lectures on the latest achievements in understanding:

• Learning
• Neural and network dynamics
• Function in health and disease
• Neurorobotic theory and applications

A range of interdisciplinary courses

Day one focused on Synapses, neurons and networks, while the second day was dedicated to Networks: Functions and Dynamics. On the third day, the participants could attend sessions on Learning and Plasticity, while day four solely focused on Brain function and dysfunction: models and experiments. The summer school closed with the topic of Artificial systems and embodied brains. The theoretical input was complimented by numerous hands-on tutorials on the EBRAINS services and tools. 

We want to thank all speakers, workshop hosts and tutors – without them none of these exciting sessions would have been possible. Also, the hard-working Programme Committee, who has been active behind the scenes for many months to put such an appealing schedule together. Thank you for your efforts & dedication – we cannot wait to host more events in collaboration in the future.

Further information

If you want to read more about the BNNI 2021, visit the event page or consider watching the session recordings in the HBP Education E-Library. Most sessions were recorded and will be shared on the HBP Education E-Library.

The next Baltic-Nordic Summer School will take place in Krakow, Poland in 2022. Don’t miss it!