Cognitive neuroscience for and in society––Lessons from Face (Re)Cognition

My talk will draw on two decades of research into the neural and cognitive mechanisms of face identity processing to illustrate how discoveries in cognitive neuroscience can both inform and be informed by society.I will trace my journey as a scholar who began with fundamental questions about how the brain encodes and recognizes faces and gradually expanded toward applied collaborations with the public sector.These have ranged from clinical assessments in individuals with face perception difficulties, to advising on issues of security and identity verification, to contributing insights on trust, bias, and social interaction in everyday life.Through these experiences, I will highlight both the opportunities and challenges of translating laboratory-based findings into real-world impact.The aim is not only to share lessons from face (re)cognition as a case study, but also to reflect more broadly on how cognitive neuroscience can responsibly engage with societal needs-by balancing rigor and relevance, while anticipating future challenges and working in dialogue with policymakers and practitioners.