Novel Research and Ethics: from Neuroscience to AI

Unlock the secrets of the human brain and AI and explore the ethical boundary between intelligence and responsibility

← Back to courses
CIVIS focus area
Health
Open to
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • PhD candidates/ students
  • PhD candidates/ students
Field of studies
  • Business and Management
  • Computer Science and IT
  • Law
  • Medicine and Health
  • Natural Sciences and Mathematics
  • Social Science and humanities
Type
  • Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP)
Course dates
4 October 2025 - 27 February 2026
Apply by
4 May 2025 Apply now

The goal of the “Novel Research and Ethics: from Neuroscience to AI” program 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 program, 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 project.

In the heart of the “Altstadt Salzburg”, the program 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 Austria, 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 practice 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 aspects of bioethics. Also, they can use this program as a starting point for further studies and actions related to the defense of human rights through the applications of modern biomedical and technological developments. In addition, the students' work will provide an opportunity for further research and specialization, as well as material for publication and scientific advancement.

Main topics addressed:

  • Introduction to Neuroscience (Anatomy, Physiology, Research, Imaging)
  • Cognitive Disorders
  • Neurocriminology and Legal Evidence
  • Neurolaw
  • Legal framework for dementia and neuropharmacology
  • Ethical Principles of research with human subjects
  • Medical Applications of AI
  • Dangers of AI in human rights and Bioethics
  • BCI Devices and ethical risks
  • Neurotheology and Neurotechnology

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course, the 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 reflections 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.

This BIP is meant to trigger the renewal of the study programs 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: 4 October 2025 - 27 February 2026 Total workload: 200 hours
Format: Blended ECTS: 7*
Location: Salzburg, Austria Language: English (B2)
Contact: silvia.traunwieser@plus.ac.at  

 

*recognition of ECTS depends on your home university

Physical mobility

The Physical mobility section of the course will be held between 23 -27 February 2026 in Salzburg, Austria.

 Selected students will arrive in Salzburg (Austria) at the University of Salzburg (Faculty of Law, Business and Economics. After interactive lectures and workshops students will also be expected to present the results of written papers at the end of the week. Several social events will be planned throughout the week in Salzburg as well as visits to sites of cultural and historic interests (e.g., Tour Salzburg Festival Halls, Workshop „Rare Book Collections“ at the library).

Virtual part

The virtual part will take place between 4 October - 13 December 2025.

Throughout the virtual part, classes will be held every Saturday, for 10 weeks in 4-hours sessions.

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. Three special webinars, in association with Athens Medical School, the Interorthodox Center of the Church of Greece and the Faculty of Law, Business and Economics, are taking place during the virtual part: "Neurocriminology and Forensic Psychiatry","Neurotheology", and “Ethical Risks of BCI-Devices”.

Assessment

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 Salzburg, 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 presentation of the scientific paper,
  • the final and written version of the scientific paper,
  • the applied methods/research,
  • the discussion, and
  • the ability to work in teams.

Additionally, participants should have specific skills include:

  • a good level of written and spoken English (B2),
  • innovation,
  • written communication,
  • interdisciplinary co-operation,
  • leadership,
  • motivation,
  • problem-solving,
  • public speaking,
  • remote working,
  • scientific research and writing,
  • teamwork,
  • willingness to learn,
  • conflict resolution and
  • basic computer capabilities (data collection, paper writing, presentation making).

This course is open to Bachelor's, Master's and PhD' 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. 

  • Official registration and enrolment of BIP students in local system by payment of mandatory fee to Austrian Student Union, of € 24,70,- is necessary.
  • Learning Agreements for incoming students will be signed by Silvia Traunwieser, silvia.traunwieser@plus.ac.at.
  • Confirmation of Attendance will be signed by the responsible person (Traunwieser)
  • Students will receive the official Transcript of Records issued by the University of Salzburg via the local management system (not CIVIS Mobility Platform).

For further information, students can use civis.neuroethics@gmail.com.

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.

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. Applications for this course are only available for the 11 CIVIS member universities in Europe.

Partner universities:

  • Aix-Marseille Université (France)

  • Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (Germany)

  • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece)

  • Sapienza Università di Roma (Italia)

  • Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain)

  • University of Bucharest (Romania)

  • University of Salzburg (Austria)

Professors: 

The core teaching team for this BIP is composed of professors and researchers from six universities (Salzburg, Tübingen, Rome, Madrid, Athens, and Bucharest). 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 program.

Within the core team:

Professor Christina Dalla (Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens)

Assistant Professor Silvia Traunwieser (Faculty of Law, Business and Economics, University of Salzburg), with the support of colleagues will be responsible for the preparation, implementation, and follow-up of the planned program.

Send your application by filling in the online application form by 4 May 2025, and including:

  • CV,
  • motivation letter.

Applications will be evaluated based on the 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

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.

Documents