This activity will analyse, through IT devices and tools, the human-computer interaction that has played a crucial role in recent history, in which computers, mobile devices, wearable devices, IoT devices and smart devices in general are becoming increasingly pervasive in every aspect of our daily lives. The spread of smart devices has also been accompanied by a continuous enhancement of applications based on artificial intelligence, where the complexity of such systems is often hidden from the user, giving access to highly sophisticated technologies by exploiting the means that humans use to interact with each other, such as natural language, gestures or even emotions. Furthermore, the growth of metaverses raises new questions about the ethical, economic and social implications of these new spaces in which increasing portions of our lives are lived. The aim of the laboratory is to describe and involve PhD students in the scientific and technological contexts in which human-machine interaction and artificial intelligence applications are developed, involving them in the research activities carried out at the HuM-HI laboratory.
This activity will analyse the processes of meaning-making and text construction in the English language. In particular, it will focus on the combination of different semiotic systems in the production of meaning, with particular reference to scientific discourse. Part of the course will be devoted to methods of writing scientific articles and oral presentation techniques.
As part of the activities aimed at learning about European research systems, doctoral students from both curricula will participate in a series of seminars organised by the Agency for European Research (APRE). These meetings are organised in collaboration with the University of Messina and aim to introduce participants to the structures of European research programmes, with particular reference to Horizon Europe 2023. Doctoral students are given the opportunity to participate in APRE seminars related to the First Pillar of Excellent Science, with an in-depth look at the opportunities offered by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, as well as funding opportunities in the field of research and innovation.
This series of workshops addresses the topic of Open Science, with a series of practical contributions describing both access to open resources (enhancement and fundraising) and the renewal of strategies for assessing the impact on a professional research profile through new metrics based on open approaches. The seminar cycle benefits from the collaboration with the managers of the UniMe University Library System (S.B.A.), which has more than ten years of expertise in open resources. In addition, opportunities for growth and skills related to the role of Open Journal Editor are presented. The revised results of this series of seminars are published in open access volumes by CORISCO, the open access publishing brand of the PhD programme in Cognitive Sciences.
Fundamental principles of ethics, gender equality, integrity
For several years now, the PhD programme in Cognitive Sciences has been running a series of seminars entitled 'Pluralisms. Reflections on bodies, politics and gender representations', which aims to combine and promote the integration of different approaches from various scientific disciplines, starting with those related to embodied cognitive sciences and cultural studies. The reflections are divided into three general thematic areas that investigate three closely interconnected dimensions: the political, communicative and cognitive dimensions of gender issues. The aim of the seminar series is to give voice to, and restore weight and value to, the plurality and complexity of the reality of genders, bodies and plural identities. The seminar series is organised in accordance with the guidelines for promoting gender balance in scientific events of the National Conference of Italian University Equality Bodies (https://pluralismi.unime.it/).
Laboratory activities
The activities that will take place in the Cognitive Neuroscience laboratory (Messina and Noto) will consist of describing and using the main non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. In the Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, PhD students will participate in a series of meetings during which theoretical and practical aspects of the use of electrophysiological techniques and non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS, tDCS) will be illustrated. Practical training will also be offered on their use in combination with other electrophysiological methods such as electromyography, to learn how to record motor evoked potentials.
Seminars
The interdisciplinary Cognitive Science Seminars consist of a series of meetings on the nature of human cognition. They bring together contributions from international scholars who demonstrate the interdisciplinary dimension of studies on the human and animal mind, adopting the methodology of cognitive science, with the aim of promoting the development of evaluative and critical skills related to current research.
The training sessions for the presentation of research results take place regularly, at least once a year, at the CODISCO Doctoral Conference (Coordination of Doctorates in Cognitive Science). The conference also includes a selection by anonymous experts and the publication of contributions in a collective volume. The organisation of an annual summer school dedicated to doctoral students from all active cycles is also promoted (evaluating the possibility of extending it to scholarship holders, research fellows and early-stage researchers) to encourage the comparison and exchange of perspectives, experiences, objectives and research methodologies, both across scientific disciplines and within individual sectors on the basis of a theme to be identified annually. With this in mind, it could be useful to ensure the presence of lecturers and experts on the chosen theme during these exchanges, seeking and assessing their availability both within and outside the college, with lectures by lecturers and scholars from other national and/or international universities who are experts in cognitive science.
Participation in national and international conferences and congresses is strongly promoted and supported by the Doctoral College, so that doctoral students become accustomed to disseminating their research projects and creating networks of relationships at national and international level. On average, participation in two conferences per year per doctoral student is encouraged. Doctoral students are also expected to participate in national and international conferences, congresses and workshops in line with their research interests, as speakers, with an average of two conferences during the three years of their doctoral programme.
Doctoral students are expected to participate in one national or international training school per cycle. Training schools must be consistent with the doctoral programme in Cognitive Sciences and with the educational and scientific background of each doctoral student. Participation in these schools is therefore subject to the authorisation of the supervisor and the doctoral committee. Examples of training schools whose participation is encouraged include: the Summer School of the AIS methodology section, which aims to explore innovative social research techniques, teach practical skills and facilitate exchange with expert researchers; the UniCal Summer School of Social Research Methodology; AI-DLDA: International Summer School on Artificial Intelligence organised in collaboration with the University of Udine; the PsyHuman Summer School promoted by the University of Trento; the Summer School in Digital Humanities at the University of Oxford; the Summer-Winter Schools at La Sapienza University in Rome; the Summer School in Digital Humanities at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.