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Computational and Systems Neuroscience (COSYNE)

The annual gathering known as Computational and Systems Neuroscience (mercifully acronymized as COSYNE, because who has time for full titles these days?) presents itself as a critical scientific conference dedicated to the rigorous exchange of pioneering experimental insights and sophisticated theoretical or computational methodologies. These diverse approaches are all ultimately aimed at unraveling the labyrinthine challenges inherent in the field of systems neuroscience . It has solidified its position as an undeniably significant event for computational neuroscientists , providing a unique forum where a vast spectrum of analytical and experimental approaches are not merely discussed, but often dissected and scrutinized.

This prominent conference maintains a distinct single-track format for its main presentations, complemented by extensive poster sessions that facilitate more granular discussions. Consistently, it draws an impressive attendance, often exceeding 1500 participants, who converge from an unexpectedly broad array of academic and scientific disciplines. These include, but are not limited to, the core fields of neuroscience, alongside the ever-expanding domains of computer science and machine learning, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of modern brain research.

For many years, until 2018, the core three-day main meeting of COSYNE found its home in the somewhat picturesque, if predictable, environs of Salt Lake City . This was traditionally followed by an additional two days of specialized workshops, which historically convened amidst the snowy peaks of Snowbird, Utah . However, in 2018, the conference decided to uproot itself, shifting its North American venue to Colorado. Since 2019, COSYNE has adopted a rather ambitious alternating schedule, moving between a designated European site—beginning with Lisbon, Portugal—and a North American location, which has since included Montreal, Canada. This geographical oscillation presumably allows for a broader reach, or perhaps just offers attendees a change of scenery.

History

COSYNE, as it is known today, did not simply materialize out of thin air; it emerged from a lineage of earlier, foundational discussions. Its roots can be traced back to the Neural Information and Coding (NIC) meetings, which were initially conceived and founded by the esteemed Anthony Zador in 1996. These initial gatherings provided the fertile ground, the intellectual precursor, from which the more structured and comprehensive COSYNE would eventually blossom.

The inaugural COSYNE conference itself was meticulously organized in 2004. This foundational event was spearheaded by a quartet of influential figures in the field: Michael Shadlen , Alexandre Pouget , Carlos Brody , and of course, Anthony Zador , who evidently has a penchant for initiating significant scientific forums. The continuity of leadership and vision remains a hallmark of the conference, with the current Executive Committee comprised of Alexandre Pouget , Anne-Marie Oswald, Stephanie Palmer, and the ever-present Anthony Zador . One might assume their continued involvement speaks to either unwavering dedication or a distinct lack of other pressing engagements.

Meetings

The following table provides a chronological overview of the annual COSYNE meetings, detailing their locations, and the individuals who graciously, or perhaps begrudgingly, served as General Chairs, Program Chairs, Workshop Chairs, Publicity/Communication Chairs, and Undergraduate Travel Chairs. The availability of abstracts for each year is also noted, a testament to the fleeting nature of scientific discourse.

Related Meetings

Beyond the confines of COSYNE, the broader scientific landscape is dotted with other notable gatherings that, for various reasons, also attempt to grapple with the complexities of information processing within biological and artificial systems. These related conferences and organizations provide complementary, though perhaps sometimes less focused, platforms for discussion and dissemination of research:

• Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS): Active since 1987, this conference is a behemoth in the machine learning world, often touching upon neuroscience from a computational perspective, though its scope has broadened considerably beyond its initial neural network focus.
• Annual meeting of the Organization for Computational Neuroscience (OCNS): Operating since 1990 or 1992 (the exact inception date seems to be a matter of historical debate), this organization hosts its own annual meeting, providing another dedicated forum for the computational neuroscience community.
• Conference on Cognitive Computational Neuroscience (CCN): A relatively newer entrant, established in 2017, CCN specifically aims to bridge the gap between cognitive science, neuroscience, and computational modeling, emphasizing the higher-level functions of the brain.
• Bernstein Conference: Initiated in 2005, this conference is a cornerstone event for the German computational neuroscience community, named after Julius Bernstein, a pioneer in electrophysiology. It provides a significant platform for researchers primarily in Europe.