Connectionists: CFP Epigenetic Robotics 2008 (new deadline: 16 April 2008)

[Luc Berthouze]

***NOTE NEW SUBMISSION DEADLINE!***
16 April 2008


CALL FOR PAPERS:  Epigenetic Robotics 2008
31 July - 2 August, 2008, Brighton, UK

Eighth International Conference on Epigenetic Robotics:
Modeling Cognitive Development in Robotic Systems

http://www.epigenetic-robotics.org
Email: epirob08 at epigenetic-robotics.org

***2008 Conference Theme***
Evolution and Development:  Related Processes of Change

Location:
University of Sussex,
Brighton, UK


Important Dates:
----------------

16 April 2008: Deadline for submission of papers & posters
31 May 2008: Notification of acceptance of papers & posters
30 June 2008: Deadline for camera ready papers
31 July - 2 August 2008: EpiRob08 @ Brighton


Keynote Speakers
-----------------

Prof. Eva Jablonka (Tel Aviv University, Israel)
Prof. Susan Oyama (John Jay College, New York, USA)
Dr. Domenico Parisi (Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies,  
CNR, Rome, Italy)
Prof. Claudio Stern (University College London, UK)

Conference Theme:
------------------

In the past 7 years, the Epigenetic Robotics annual conference has  
established
itself as a unique place where original interdisciplinary research from
developmental sciences, neuroscience, biology, cognitive robotics, and
artificial intelligence is being presented.

Psychological theory and empirical evidence is being used to inform  
epigenetic
robotic models, and these models can be used as theoretical tools to  
make
experimental predictions in developmental psychology.

As in previous years, we encourage submissions from researchers whose  
work
broadly intersects the fields (and subdisciplines) of developmental  
science,
robotics, and neuroscience.  As a special feature, this year we are also
highlighting a specific organizational theme:  evolution and  
development as
related processes of change.

The particular focus of this theme is on the dynamic interplay between  
ontogeny
and phylogeny.  In other words, how do new abilities and skills that  
emerge
during development influence the path of evolution, and how do  
subsequent
evolutionary changes help to create new developmental trajectories?   
This is a
question that fits well within the mission of epigenetic robotics, as  
it spans
not only a wide range of research areas and academic disciplines  
(e.g., biology,
psychology, AI and machine learning, linguistics, anthropology, etc.)  
but also a
broad spectrum of spatial and temporal scales (e.g., neurons, brains,  
social
communities, cultures, etc.).

We are especially interested in submissions that will enhance the  
emerging
dialog between evolutionary and developmental perspectives.  Relevant  
topics
include, but are not limited to:

- Artificial embryology
- Morphogenesis, differentiation, and regulation
- Behavioral inheritance and social learning
- The evolution of language acquisition
- Phylogenetic constraints on perceptual processing (e.g., face  
perception)
- Neuroplasticity and the evolution of cognition
- Evolutionary influences on mother-infant bonding
- Modularity of mind (evolutionary constraints on neural processing)
- Tool-use and problem-solving in humans, non-human primates, and  
machines


Modes of Submission:
--------------------

(1) Regular Submission (8-page max). After review, regular submissions  
will
either be accepted or rejected (no revision as short papers or  
posters). Regular
submissions will be allocated 8 pages in the Proceedings.

(2) Abstract Submission (1-page max). After review, selected authors  
will be
invited to present a poster. Abstract submissions will be allocated 2  
pages in
the Proceedings.

Submission instructions will be available from the EpiRob website:
http://www.epigenetic-robotics.org.  Email submissions and/or questions
regarding the submission process to epirob08-PC at epigenetic-robotics.org.


Related Events:
---------------

Note that "Artificial Life XI" (http://www.alifexi.org/) will be  
hosted in
Winchester, UK (5-8 August 2008), and that we encourage participants  
to attend
both meetings.


Organizing Committee:
---------------------

Christian Balkenius (Lund University, Sweden)
Luc Berthouze (University of Sussex, UK)
Lola Cañamero (University of Hertfordshire, UK)
Matthew Schlesinger (Southern Illinois University, USA)




---
Dr Luc Berthouze, Senior Lecturer
Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics (CCNR)
Department of Informatics
University of Sussex
Brighton BN1 9QH, UK
Tel: +44 1273 877206 	Fax: +44 1273 877873