The RIO Group conference will be hosted 25-26 April (2019) at Teesside University in the North East of England
Download our SHORT conference programme here:
rio_2019_-_conference_schedule.docx | |
File Size: | 1229 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Download our LONG conference programme here (with abstracts included):
rio_2019_full_schedule_cf_dw_de.docx | |
File Size: | 1258 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Download our news letter here:
rio_newsletter_jan_2019.pdf | |
File Size: | 894 kb |
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Invited speakers
With great pleasure we announce our two invited speakers as Dr Robert Hardwick and Dr Richard Ramsey. Their work has had a significant impact on imagery and observation research across the main disciplines discussed at RIO events, including neuroscience, sport and exercise science, psychology, and movement rehabilitation.
Dr Richard Ramsey (Bangor University)
Cognitive and brain mechanisms of social perception and interaction
The ability to perceive and interact with others occurs in an effortless manner, but is underpinned by complex cognitive and neural processes. In this talk, I review recent evidence from behavioural and brain imaging studies that uncover deeper insight into social cognition and brain function. Using examples from action learning, imitation, person perception and theory of mind paradigms, I highlight the importance of considering distributed and connected brain circuits when aiming to understand how we perceive and interact with others in a social world. Looking forward, I suggest that if we want to make greater progress in psychology and neuroscience, we have to fully embrace recent Open Science initiatives that advocate scientific best-practice, in order to enable a more cumulative science to develop.
Dr Robert Hardwick (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Neural Correlates of Action: Comparing Meta-analyses of Imagery, Observation, and Execution
Several established models have proposed that the mental simulation of action through motor Imagery and/or action observation shares common neural substrates with movement execution. Recently, we examined this theory by producing a quantitative synthesis of the brain regions consistently recruited by these tasks as shown in current neuroimaging literature. We compared the brain regions consistently associated with motor imagery (303 experiments, 4,902 participants), action observation (595 experiments, 11,032 participants), and control tasks involving movement execution (142 experiments, 2,302 participants). Motor imagery and action observation recruited generally similar premotor-parietal cortical networks. However, while motor imagery and movement execution both consistently recruited subcortical and cerebellar regions, action observation did not. These data provide a quantitative summary of the similarities in the brain networks underlying motor imagery, action observation, and movement execution, but also highlight key differences in their recruitment of the primary motor cortex, parietal cortex, and subcortical structures. These results question theories of 'functional equivalence' between mentally simulated and physically executed actions, and highlight that alternative models are required to improve our understanding of action simulation.
Conference information
The conference is free for all our speakers and delegates to attend!
PhD Scholarship: If this conference inspires you, please consider our recently advertised PhD scholarship running at Teesside University in collaboration with MMU investigating imagery and observation as home-based therapy in stroke rehabilitation link
For travel arrangements, please see information on the university website: link the event will take place in the Centuria Building (building 9) - Main Lecture Theatre - see link to download pdf of campus map
Accommodation information. There are a number of good hotels within walking distance of the main campus. On the basis of their quality and location, the recommended hotels include:
- The Holiday Inn Express (Centre Square). Our most highly recommended accommodation - Location is perfect - within 5 mins walk of both the campus and the train station link
Other options:
- Jurys Inn (Fry Street). 5 mins walk from the train station - 10 mins walk from campus link
- Premier Inn (Middlesbrough Town Centre). 5 mins walk from the train station - 10 mins walk from campus link
- The Baltimore Hotel (Marton Road). Might be cheaper than others - 10 min taxi ride from the train station - 10 min taxi ride from the campus link
- Travel Lodge (Newport Road). 15 mins walk from the train station - 15 mins walk from the campus link
For any questions in the meantime, please contact the local organiser Dr Daniel Eaves ([email protected]).
In the run up to the event we will update all members via email. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please send a message to the above email address.
What to expect
RIO events consistently benefit from the high-quality contributions of our presenters (both oral and poster) and our delegates. This event has a supportive and inclusive ethos, where students and early career researchers are encouraged to engage in research discussions with more experienced academics and professors. Following the success of last year's RIO event at Bielefeld University, Germany, (and the 12 years of successful RIO events before that!) we are looking forward to receiving your abstracts, and welcoming you to Teesside University in April for another enjoyable and thought-provoking event!
You may also wish to follow us on twitter: @_RIOgroup_