CBEN 2017 Early Career and Poster Awards
Published 29th of November, 2017
On November 27 and 28, the 3rd annual CBEN conference with the theme evolution and cooperation took place at Leiden University, featuring keynotes by Charlotte Hemelrijk (complexity science, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen), Carsten de Dreu (social and organisational psychology, Leiden University), Redouan Bshary (behavioural ecology, Université de Neuchâtel), Matthijs van Veelen (economics, University of Amsterdam), and Andy Radford (behavioural ecology, Bristol University) as well as submitted talks from a wide variety of disciplines, including social psychology, primatology, behavioural ecology, theoretical biology, and archaeology.
Early Career Award
For the first time, CBEN awarded a prize to an outstanding early career researcher. The laureate is Jorg Massen of the University of Vienna, who spoke on the evolution of prosociality. See the abstract of his talk below.
Early Career Award winner Jorg Massen.
By cooperating one can reach goals that could not be reached alone, yet it also involves an initial investment. Participants of a cooperative effort may try to maximize their net gain by minimizing their investment, while nonetheless reaping the benefits. Cooperation is thus prone to free-riders and will break down easily. Nevertheless, humans cooperate much and on enormous scales, partly due to their strong prosocial tendency. Such prosociality was long thought to be uniquely human, yet recent studies have also reported prosociality in, at least some, other animals. Currently, two of the major hypotheses stress the importance of a cooperative breeding lifestyle and strong social bonds in the evolution of prosociality. Yet, these hypotheses are so far mainly tested in a limited number of primates, make strong general claims very difficult. In my talk, I will first explore how prosocial humans actually are in comparison to other animals, by reporting on several studies that test prosociality in humans in comparable contexts and set-ups as those used to test animals. Second, I will explore the current evolutionary hypotheses by presenting experimental studies on prosociality in a range of corvid species with different socio-ecological backgrounds. Finally, I will compare these corvid studies with studies on primates, and by transcending phylogenetic borders I aim to elucidate some of the socio-ecological selection pressure that may have led to the evolution of prosociality.
Poster Award
The poster award winners: Friederike Behrens, Ilaria Torre, and Mélisande Aellen (from left to right).
The conference also featured a poster session with a diverse set of excellent contributions. Three posters gained an equal number of votes for the poster award, and so shared the first and second prize. The winners are Mélisande Aellen (Université de Neuchâtel) with “‘Proper’ third-party punishment in fish”, Friederike Behrens (Leiden University) with “How nonverbal expressions and reputation drive cooperative decisions: A real-life interaction study”, and Ilaria Torre (Trinity College Dublin) with “Dynamics of cooperation in an iterated trust game: people just don’t give up on untrustworthy game partners”. They each receive an annual subscription of one of the journals Behaviour or Animal Biology, published by Brill, as well as 150€ worth in Brill books.
SMART CS Conference on Human and Animal Cognition
Published 12th of October, 2017
The second Amsterdam SMART Cognitive Science Conference will take place at the University of Amsterdam December 6-8. The conference consists of daytime workshops and evening keynotes on human and animal cognition.
Keynote speakers are primatologist and CBEN affiliate Frans de Waal (Emory), cognitive psychologist Elizabeth Spelke (Harvard), and philosopher of mind Kristin Andrews (York University, Toronto).
You can find out more and register for workshops and keynotes here.
CBEN Conference 2017: Full Programme Published
Published 12th of October, 2017
The CBEN Conference 2017 will include five keynotes from Dutch and international researchers in ecology, biology, economics, and psychology and 14 oral presentations from a diverse set of scholars. The programme can be found on our website, and a preliminary full programme including abstracts can be downloaded here.
The research presented draws on a broad set of methods, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational empirical approaches, modelling, and theoretical contributions. The empirical talks cover species as varied as humans, bonobos, cleaner wrasses, ravens, bats, and capuchin monkeys.
Registration is still open, as are submission for poster presentations. You can sign up for the CBEN Conference 2017 here.
CBEN Conference 2017: Extended Deadline and Travel Awards
Published 12th of September, 2017
The deadline to submit talks to CBEN 2017 has been extended to September 30 (23:59 CET). For posters, we will now accept submissions on a rolling basis up to a week before the conference (November 19), or until all spots are taken.
In addition, we are excited to announce that we are offering up to five travel awards à 100 euros for early career researchers (graduate students and postdocs) who have a submission (talk or poster) accepted at CBEN 2017. Please note your eligibility in the submission form.
For more information about CBEN 2017, the theme Evolution and Cooperation, and our keynote speakers, please check the conference page.
Call for Papers: CBEN Conference 2017
Published 21st of June, 2017
The Cognition, Behavior, and Evolution Network is happy to announce the 2017 CBEN Conference on the evolution of cooperation, held November 27-28 at Leiden University.
Theme
CBEN 2017 focuses on the evolutionary study of cooperation. Interest in the evolution and maintenance cooperation spans disciplines, paradigms, and species. This has led to confusion and disagreement as much as connections and collaboration. CBEN 2017 emphasizes the connections: between theorists and empirical researchers, across disciplines, and among scholars working at different levels of explanation and on different species. The goal of the conference is therefore to bring together researchers from psychology, economics, biology, and ecology with a shared interest in cooperation to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration. In furtherance of this goal, we especially invite submissions that compare or combine multiple perspectives from the evolutionary sciences, including comparative research.
We are proud to present a diverse set of keynote speakers, including Andy Radford (behavioural ecology, Bristol University), Redouan Bshary (behavioural ecology, Université de Neuchâtel), Charlotte Hemelrijk (biology, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen), Matthijs van Veelen (economics, Universiteit van Amsterdam), and Carsten de Dreu (psychology, Universiteit Leiden).
Abstract submission
We invite submissions of abstracts (250 words) for presentations of 20 minutes. If you would like to present at CBEN 2017, please submit your abstract until September 15. We will select speakers on the basis of submitted abstracts.
Timeline
15 September: Deadline for abstract submission
22 September: Notification of selected speakers
27-28 November: Conference at Leiden University
Registration
Attendance of CBEN 2017 is free, and registration is now open.
Workshop – Comparative Affective Science: The Intersection of Biology and Psychology
Published 10th of May, 2017
CBEN wants to draw your attention to the upcoming workshop on comparative affective science. This workshop will feature short talks by biologists and psychologists on four key questions: “What does it mean to be well? How do we measure that in animals? which animals? And can and should we avoid anthropomorphism?” Each talk session will be followed by comments from a moderator and then a structured session for discussion in small groups. Our ultimate goal is to produce a paper, or series of papers, that address the core questions from multiple perspectives, providing a way forward for the field of animal emotion.
For more information and registration, please visit the following link
For the program, please click here
Meet and Greet with Prof. Ellen Dissanayake
Art and Human Evolution
Published 10th of May, 2017
Dear colleague,
You are kindly invited to attend a Meet & Greet session with Prof. Ellen Dissanayake (Univ. of Washington). On this occasion, Prof. Dissanayake will look back on 4 decades of studies in Art and Human Evolution and discuss the current state and future of the field with interested readers, scholars and students.
Date: Monday 7th of August, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM
Venue: Leiden University Faculty of Humanities Lipsius Building, room 228, Cleveringaplaats 1, 2311 BD Leiden
Programme:
10:00- 10:15 Welcome (by Larissa Mendoza)
10:15- 11:00 Ellen Dissanayake in her own words
11:00- 11:30 Break
11:30- 12:45 Q & A session
12:45- 13:00 Wrap-up
The meeting is free but places are limited, please register by July 15 at: mslariss[at]hotmail.com
Please find the official invitation here
CBEN 2017 Conference Announcement
Published 17th of March, 2017
The CBEN 2017 committee is pleased to let you know that we will be hosting a new conference on the 27th and 28th of November in Leiden, The Netherlands.
CBEN 2017 focuses on the evolutionary study of cooperation. Interest in the evolution and maintenance cooperation spans disciplines, paradigms, and species. This has led to confusion and disagreement as much as connections and collaboration. CBEN 2017 emphasizes the connections: between theorists and empirical researchers, across disciplines, and among scholars working at different levels of explanation and on different species. The goal of the conference is therefore to bring together researchers from psychology, economics, biology, and ecology with a shared interest in cooperation to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration. In furtherance of this goal, we especially invite submissions that compare or combine multiple perspectives from the evolutionary sciences, including comparative research. We will be updating the website regularly to keep you informed about the speakers and activities.
If you are interested in joining CBEN 2017, please register or submit your abstract through the menu on the right side of this page. For further questions and information, please use our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are looking forward to seeing you in Leiden!
Sincerely,
Simon Columbus and Merel Burgering (organizing committee)
European Human Behaviour and Evolution Association (EHBEA) Annual Conference 2017
Published 17th of March, 2017
The EHBEA is organizing a new conference from 6 – 8th of April, 2017 in Paris, France.
The European Human Behaviour and Evolution Association (EHBEA) is an interdisciplinary society that supports the activities of European researchers with an interest in evolutionary accounts of human cognition, behaviour and society. This year’s annual conference is held in Paris, France, from the 6th – 8th of April, 2017. For more information on the conference and on how to register, please visit their website.
Utrecht Summer School: Observing Primate Behaviour
Published 11th of November, 2016
When: July 17th – July 28th
Where:Utrecht University & Biomedical Primate Research Center Rijswijk
The summer course Observing Primate Behaviour focuses on getting familiar with primate observational methods by observing primate social behaviour. Through the analysis of gathered observational data, students follow the scientific cycle by investigating and presenting their own research questions. Furthermore, the additional activities aim to provide the students with more background information on the different topics related to studying primate behaviour, such as welfare, colony management and fieldwork.
More information
For more information and to apply for the summer school, click here.
Utrecht Summer School: Observing Primate Behaviour
Published 11 November 2016
When: July 17th – July 28th
Where:Utrecht University & Biomedical Primate Research Center Rijswijk
The summer course Observing Primate Behaviour focuses on getting familiar with primate observational methods by observing primate social behaviour. Through the analysis of gathered observational data, students follow the scientific cycle by investigating and presenting their own research questions. Furthermore, the additional activities aim to provide the students with more background information on the different topics related to studying primate behaviour, such as welfare, colony management and fieldwork.
More information
For more information and to apply for the summer school, click here.
Netherlands Society for Behavioural Biology Meeting- Register now!
Published 1 November 2016
When: 30 November – 2 December
Where:Kontakt der Kontinenten – Soesterberg (The Netherlands)
The 24th NVG meeting will be held from Wednesday November 30th to Friday December 2nd in conference hotel ‘Kontakt der Kontinenten‘ in Soesterberg, The Netherlands. The meeting starts on Wednesday evening, after the PhD workshop (see below). Highlights of this meeting are the keynote lectures, including the Brill Baerends Lecture, for which internationally renowned behavioural biologists are invited.
More information
For more information and to register for the meeting, click here.
Dr. Mariska Kret in top 5 of New Scientist competition! Will she make it to number 1?
Published 12 September 2016
Dr. Kret has made it into the top 5 of the New Scientist competition for young Dutch/Flemis researchers across disciplines! Thank you to those who voted for her! The winner will be announced during an event on September 22nd during which the top 5 will pitch their research. You are welcome to join this event!
Read more »
Will Dr. Mariska Kret be the New Scientist Wetenschapstalent 2016?
Published 24 August 2016
Mariska Kret from Leiden University is one of 25 Dutch scientists nominated for the New Scientist “Wetenschapstalent 2016”! Will she be the next Science Talent? You can vote for her here, and read more about her research on her personal website.*
*Text is in Dutch
Ph.D. Workshop: Connecting minds and sharing emotions through wires and neurons in man and animal
Published 15 May 2016
(c) Iris Kronenburg, 2015
Date: July 5th, from 10.00-19.00 Place: Leiden University, room: bestuurskamer (1st floor of the Pieter de La Court Building, Wassenaarseweg 52, Leiden) For registration or more information: m.e.kret@fsw.leidenuniv.nl. Summary: Why do we express emotions? How does our brain process these incoming signals from others and connect them with our own feelings? Are the same processes at stake in other…
Symposium The Many Faces of Primate Sociality: Looking into the future
A symposium in honor of Jan van Hooff’s 80th birthday
Published 01 April 2016
(Dutch) Jan van Hooff heeft een belangrijke bijdrage geleverd aan het onderzoek naar sociaal gedrag van apen. Naast zijn eigen werk bracht het onderzoek van door hem opgeleide gedragsbiologen ook belangrijke inzichten. Diverse aspecten van sociaal gedrag kwamen hierbij aan bod: van verzoening tot computermodellen, en van evolutie tot voetbalrellen…
Book publication: ‘Mismatch’ by Ronald Giphard & Mark van Vught
Published 01 January 2016
(Dutch) Onze supermarkten puilen uit van calorierijk voedsel vol suikers en vet. Onze smaakvoorkeur naar vet en zoet stamt uit ons biologische verleden, toen het vergaren van calorieën een overlevingsmechanisme was voor slechte tijden. Tegenwoordig zijn er geen slechte tijden meer, en daarom is obesitas inmiddels gezondheidsvijand nummer één.’ Onze hersenen zijn voor een belangrijk deel nog net zo geprogrammeerd…
