Novel Research and Ethics: from Neuroscience to AI

Explore the emerging research on Neuroscience and AI applications through their bioethical approach!

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CIVIS focus area
Health
Open to
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • PhD candidates/ students
Field of studies
  • Business and Management
  • Computer Science and IT
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Law
  • Medicine and Health
  • Natural Sciences and Mathematics
  • Social Science and humanities
Type
  • Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP)
Course dates
19 October - 13 December

The goal of the “Novel Research and Ethics: from Neuroscience to AI” programme is to acquaint students with a wide variety of knowledge about current issues of ethics and good use of cutting-edge technologies, specifically Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence.

Thanks to the possibility of encountering peers from different countries and with a variety of academic backgrounds, the students will be able to acquire a global knowledge of the subject and contribute to their group as active members of the academic community.

Within the joint programme, scientists in Medicine, Biology, Informatics, Law and Philosophy are invited to discuss and transfer their experience to the students, cultivating critical thinking and the interdisciplinary approach to the issues that are to be discussed during this programme.

In the birthplace of Philosophy, the programme gives students a first opportunity to get to know the basic concepts of biomedical and technological developments, but also to offer academic time for reflection. During their stay in the welcoming environment of Greece, students will tackle contemporary questions concerning science and evolution in a modern European and global environment.

The valuable lessons and experience of the students will be an important resource in their education. Thanks to their opportunity to coexist within new academic fields, they will be able to practise their faster adaptability and wider response to social problems. In addition to the knowledge they receive, they will have the opportunity to get to know the particular aspects of bioethics. Also, they can use this program as a starting point for further studies and actions related to the defence of human rights through the applications of modern biomedical and technological developments. In addition, the students' work will be an occasion for further research and specialisation, and also material for publication and scientific progress.

Main topics addressed

  • Introduction to Neuroscience (Anatomy, Physiology, Research, Imaging)
  • Cognitive Disorders
  • Neurocriminology and Legal Evidence
  • Nerolaw
  • Legal framework for dementia and neuropharmacology
  • Research in Neuroscience and Autonomy
  • Principles of research with human subjects
  • Political neuromarketing
  • AI and Political Science
  • Medical Applications of AI
  • Dangers of AI in human rights and Bioethics
  • Neurotheology

Learning outcomes

Following this course, students will be able to:

  • acquire fundamental knowledge in ethics;
  • critically discuss the role of the neuroscientist and understand the principles of scientific research;
  • understand the basic functions of the brain and the relationship between experimental and clinical practice;
  • know about the effects of brain function on behaviour and autonomy;
  • understand dangers deriving from research malpractice;
  • discuss the ethical issues regarding usage of Neuroscience applications under bioethics and law;
  • find the gaps in autonomy and protection of human rights of people with cognitive disease;
  • point out the different approaches towards AI and its legal use; 
  • work in an interdisciplinary environment with students from health, legal, humanitarian studies, and staff from various fields of science;
  • understand philosophical reflection based on sound knowledge and a range of practices; 
  • cultivate openness towards other disciplines; 
  • learn transdisciplinarity, by attending classes from various scientific fields: Philosophy, Law, Medicine, Psychology, Theology, Informatics etc;
  • benefit from advanced and up-to-date training, with guest speakers in applied ethics from Greece and abroad.

This BIP is meant to trigger the renewal of the study programmes within CIVIS universities, bridging the gap between the Health and Humanities students. The first ones often forget contact with the humanitarian application of knowledge, whilst the latter don't always have the necessary practical knowledge for developments in science and rendering their judgment purely theoretical.

Dates: 19 October - 13 December 2024 Total workload: 126 hours
Format: Blended ECTS: 5*
Locations: Athens, Greece Language: English (B2)
Contact: dimlignos@med.uoa.gr   

*Recognition of ECTS depends on your home university.

Physical mobility

The physical mobility section of the course will be running from 9 to 13 December 2024. Selected students will arrive in Athens (Greece) at the National and Kapodistrian University. After they get to know each other, the students will attend interactive lectures and take part in workshops. They will also be expected to present the results of literature review at the end of the week. Several social events will be planned throughout the week in Athens as well as visits to sites of cultural and historic interests (e.g. Acropolis Museum, The historic center of Athens and suburbs).

Virtual part

Throughout the virtual part, the classes will be held every Saturday, for 8 weeks. We will have 4-hours sessions, split in two parts:

  • the first 2 hours will be allocated for lectures
  • the next 2 hours will be given to students to work on teams, with or without their supervisors.

The meetings with supervisors will be announced beforehand. At the end of the day session, a series of multiple-choice questions will be available on Moodle for the students to answer until the following week. Two special webinars, in association with Athens Medical School and the Interorthodox Center of the Church of Greece, are also expected to take place during the virtual part: "Neurocriminology and Forensic Psychiatry" and "Neurotheology" respectively.

Requirements

This course is open to students at CIVIS member universities, with all academic backgrounds and an emphasis on Law, Medicine and Health, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Social Science and Humanities.

Participants should have a good level of written and spoken English (B2) and skills such as: innovation, written communication, interdisciplinary co-operation, leadership, motivation, problem-solving, public speaking, remote working, scientific research and writing, teamwork and, of course, willingness to learn. Conflict resolution and basic computer use (data collection, paper writing, presentation making) are also required. 
 

NB: Visiting Students - Erasmus Funding Eligibility

To be eligible for your selected CIVIS programme, you must be a fully enrolled student at your CIVIS home university at the time you will be undertaking the programme. Click here to learn more about the eligibility criteria.

Students from CIVIS’ strategic partner universities in Africa cannot apply for participation in this course.

Application process

Send your application by filling in the online application form by 28 April 2024. Don't forget to also include:

  • CV

  • Motivation Letter

All applications will be evaluatedd based on their CV, the quality and clarity of the motivation letter, diversity of backgrounds, academic interest for the topic of the BIP, past relevant experience and level of English.

Apply now

Assessment

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of lectures, students will be asked to answer multiple choice questions within a week after the lectures during the virtual part. After each session, new questions will be uploaded on CIVIS Moodle.

Students will also be assigned by the organizers to several teams (mininum 5 participants from different academic background) and work on a relevant subtopic of the course with one supervisor from the program. Their research results should be handed before the physical part, during which each team will present their work. Students will be asked to give the perspective of their academic background into a thorough global literature review.

In Athens, students will present then vote for the most consistent work and the team with the highest grade from both teaching staff and students’ opinion will have the opportunity to elaborate their work at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and publish it in the academic journal.

The evaluation of student progress will take place based on the following criteria:

  • the multiple choice questions, given after each session of the virtual part (50%)
  • the team project (50%).

Blended Intensive Programme

This CIVIS course is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP): a new format of Erasmus+ mobility which combines online teaching with a short trip to another campus to learn alongside students and professors across Europe. Click here to learn more about CIVIS BIPs.

GDPR Consent

The CIVIS alliance and its member universities will treat the information you provide with respect. Please refer to our privacy policy for more information on our privacy practices. By applying to this course you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

The core teaching team for this BIP is composed of professors and researchers from the seven organising universities. Additionally, stakeholders (such as members of the local Medical Association, Scientific Societies and Governmental Committees), as well as CIVIS professors, will also be included in the programme.

Within the core team, Associate Professor Eleni Rethymiotaki (Law School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), with the help of her colleagues, will be responsible for the preparation, implementation, and follow-up of the planned programme.