KSAS Annual Symposium 2026
Press Released on : 02-Sep-2025
International Symposium on Cognitive Biology
Theme: Cognition Across Life: From Cells to Consciousness
Proposed Dates: February 6-8, 2026
Duration: 2 1/2 days
Venue: Kuruom School of Advanced Sciences Research Center, located in Lucknow, India & Zoom Online Meeting (HYBRID)
1. Background and Rationale
Cognitive biology is an emerging interdisciplinary field that investigates the biological foundations and evolutionary trajectories of cognition across the full spectrum of life. By challenging anthropocentric and neurocentric models of intelligence, cognitive biology seeks to uncover how diverse organisms - from bacteria and plants to animals and humans - process information, make decisions, and adapt to their environments.
Despite the growing interest in this field, critical questions remain unanswered: How did cognition evolve? What constitutes minimal cognition? Can cognitive processes emerge in the absence of a nervous system? This symposium aims to create a vibrant platform for cross-disciplinary exchange, unifying empirical research and theoretical frameworks to better understand cognition as a fundamental biological phenomenon.
2. Objectives
- To facilitate international and interdisciplinary dialogue on the science of cognition in biological systems.
- To highlight cutting-edge research in comparative, theoretical, and experimental cognitive biology
- To encourage collaboration among scholars in biology, cognitive science, philosophy, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology
- To lay the groundwork for future research projects and academic initiatives in the field
3. Participation Format
- Participation is by invitation or through the submission of a presentation title and abstract
- Upon acceptance, participants will be required to submit a 1,000-word extended paper
- Registration is free for all attendees. Meals and refreshments will be provided throughout the symposium
- Book publishers and exhibitors are welcome to participate
4. Symposium Format and Sessions (Tentative)
Day 1: Social and Cultural Inauguration
- Opening Ceremony: Welcome remarks and symposium overview
- Cultural Program: Featuring a themed play or performance on cognition and life
- Inaugural Symposium Speech: Framing the vision of cognitive biology
Day 2: Foundations and Organizational Perspectives
- Keynote Lecture #1 - Cognition Beyond Brains: Redefining Intelligence in Nature
- Session #1 - The Origins of Cognition: Evolutionary and Developmental Perspectives
- Session #2 - Minimal Cognition: Insights from Unicellular Organisms and Plants
- Panel Discussion - Where Does Cognition Begin? Philosophical and Biological Views
- Poster Session - Presentations by early-career researchers
- Networking Dinner - Informal discussions and collaborative exploration
Day 3: Systems, Models, and Implications
- Keynote Lecture #2 - The Computational Turn: Modeling Cognition in Living Systems
- Session #3 - Cellular and Molecular Bases of Cognition
- Session #4 - Environmental Influences on Cognitive Processes
- Session #5 - Synthetic and Artificial Systems: Bio-Inspired Cognitive Architectures
- Panel Discussion - Designing a Research Agenda for Cognitive Biology
- Closing Session - Summary, reflections, and next steps
5. Expected Participants
- Researchers and scholars in Biology, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Cognitive Science, and AI
- Postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows
- Academic institutions, research centers, and think tanks
- International collaborators and representatives from funding agencies
- Book publishers, science communicators, and public engagement specialists
6. Expected Outcomes
- Publication of selected papers in a peer-reviewed journal or edited volume
- Formation of new interdisciplinary research collaborations
- Development of a position paper or communique outlining strategic directions for the field
- Opportunities for joint grant applications and international research initiatives
7. Organizing Institution and Partners
The symposium will be hosted by the Kuruom School of Advanced Sciences Foundation (KSASF). Sponsorships are welcome from academic institutions, private foundations, and the industry. Book publishers and science exhibitors are invited to display relevant works and engage with participants.
