Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Training in Neuroscience: Insights from the Human Brain Project Education Programme

Neuroscience education is challenged by rapidly evolving technology and the development of interdisciplinary approaches for brain research. The Human Brain Project (HBP) Education Programme aimed to address the need for interdisciplinary expertise in brain research by equipping a new generation of researchers with skills across neuroscience, medicine, and information technology. Over its ten year duration, the programme engaged over 1,300 experts and attracted more than 5,500 participants from various scientific disciplines in its blended learning curriculum, specialised schools and workshops, and events fostering dialogue among early-career researchers. Key principles of the programme's approach included fostering interdisciplinarity, adaptability to the evolving research landscape and infrastructure, and a collaborative environment with a focus on empowering early-career researchers. Following the programme's conclusion, we provide here an analysis and in-depth view across a diverse range of educational formats and events. Our results show that the Education Programme achieved success in its wide geographic reach, the diversity of participants, and the establishment of transversal collaborations. Building on these experiences and achievements, we describe how leveraging digital tools and platforms provides accessible and highly specialised training, which can enhance existing education programmes for the next generation of brain researchers working in decentralised European collaborative spaces. Finally, we present the lessons learnt so that similar initiatives may improve upon our experience and incorporate our suggestions into their own programme.

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Publication Details

Journal
Neuroinformatics
Published
2024-11-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12021-024-09682-6
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Neuroscience, Education and Cognitive Function
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.03
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Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Training in Neuroscience: Insights from the Human Brain Project Education Programme

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3 citations
Neuroinformatics
Neuroscience, Education and Cognitive Function
1.03
article

Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Training in Neuroscience: Insights from the Human Brain Project Education Programme

Wouter Klijn, Ziv Ben‐Zion, Nikola Simidjievski, Carmen Alina Lupaşcu, Anna Lührs, Luca Peres, Sandra Diaz-Pier, Karin Grasenick, Johannes Passecker, Marcelo Armendáriz, Tara Mahfoud, Inga Ulnicane, Lyuba Zehl, Alice Geminiani, Joana Covelo, Jens Egholm Pedersen, Taylan Özden, Ingrid Reiten, Alper Yegenoglu, Michiel van der Vlag, Alois Saria, Petrut Bogdan, Fred J. Vogel, Vitali Karasenko, Tina Kokan, Judith Kathrein, Marissa Diaz Pier
article en
3 citations

Abstract

Neuroscience education is challenged by rapidly evolving technology and the development of interdisciplinary approaches for brain research. The Human Brain Project (HBP) Education Programme aimed to address the need for interdisciplinary expertise in brain research by equipping a new generation of researchers with skills across neuroscience, medicine, and information technology. Over its ten year duration, the programme engaged over 1,300 experts and attracted more than 5,500 participants from various scientific disciplines in its blended learning curriculum, specialised schools and workshops, and events fostering dialogue among early-career researchers. Key principles of the programme's approach included fostering interdisciplinarity, adaptability to the evolving research landscape and infrastructure, and a collaborative environment with a focus on empowering early-career researchers. Following the programme's conclusion, we provide here an analysis and in-depth view across a diverse range of educational formats and events. Our results show that the Education Programme achieved success in its wide geographic reach, the diversity of participants, and the establishment of transversal collaborations. Building on these experiences and achievements, we describe how leveraging digital tools and platforms provides accessible and highly specialised training, which can enhance existing education programmes for the next generation of brain researchers working in decentralised European collaborative spaces. Finally, we present the lessons learnt so that similar initiatives may improve upon our experience and incorporate our suggestions into their own programme.

NeuroinformaticsVol. 22(4)
University of Essex (GB), Champalimaud Foundation (PT), Boston Children's Hospital (US), Harvard University (US), Innsbruck Medical University (AT), Forschungszentrum Jülich (DE), University of Oslo (NO), University of Cambridge (GB), University of Pavia (IT), University of Manchester (GB), Technische Universität Darmstadt (DE), Yale University (US), National Center for PTSD (US), Hutchison/MRC Research Centre (GB), Association des Operateurs Postaux Publics Europeens (BE), Consorci Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer (ES), University of Birmingham (GB), KTH Royal Institute of Technology (SE)
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 23%
Neuroscience, Education and Cognitive Function
1.03
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