Summary of the First Basic Principles of Cognition Conference

The inaugural Basic Principles of Cognition Conference, hosted at Ruhr University Bochum, focused on presenting the most current work in the field of basal cognition, which is the study of the most rudimentary biological mechanisms for perception and meaningful action, two core capacities for the emergence of cognitive processes in biological organisms. The event brought together leading international researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and PhD candidates for the first in-person gathering of a scholarly reading group that was established a few years prior during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conference Overview
The BPC Conference emerged from a reading group founded and organized by Caroline Stankozi, which has been meeting monthly via Zoom since 2021. Convening in person for the group's fourth anniversary was intended to strengthen the international network of contacts for philosophers at RUB and establish the university as a leading global centre for the study of basal cognition.
The conference format was designed to maximize both depth and breadth of engagement. With 9 presentations distributed across two days, the organizers implemented a standardized 45-minute slot structure: 25 minutes for presentation and 20 minutes for discussion. The conference's hybrid nature—accommodating both onsite and online participants—allowed the community to maintain its accessible, inclusive, and global character while reaping the benefits of face-to-face interaction.
An emphasis was put on breaks and informal interaction: the organizers explicitly prioritized extended breaks and outdoor activities, recognizing that some of the most valuable exchanges occur outside formal presentations. During each of the two day’s longer lunch-time breaks, the proximity of Ruhr University's botanical garden provided an ideal setting for academic exchanges and networking, which was used in particular to foster exchanges between early career and more established senior researchers.

Lineup
The speaker lineup drew from institutions across Europe and Australia. Featured speakers included Pamela Lyon from the University of Adelaide (Australia), Fred Keijzer from the University of Groningen (The Netherlands), Jelle Bruineberg from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Kevin Mitchell from Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), Christian de Weerd from Centre for Philosophy and AI Research in Erlangen (Germany), and early careers’ researchers from the RUB: Vera Straetmanns, Leonard Dung, Krzysztof Dolega and Bartosz Radomski. Beyond its immediate scholarly contributions, the conference served crucial community-building functions. It provided a framework for participants to identify potential collaborators, plan future projects, and strengthen the networks that will shape the field's development.
 

Conclusion
The 1st Basic Principles of Cognition Conference successfully transitioned a virtual reading group into a hybrid scholarly community with a in-person dimension, and allowed many of the online reading group’s participants to finally meet and discuss their ideas in person. The event's emphasis on equally valuing diverse perspectives, from leading experts to promising doctoral candidates, reflects a democratic approach to knowledge production that may prove increasingly important as the field develops. As basal cognition continues to gain recognition as a vital area of research within the cognitive sciences, this conference was an important step towards putting RUB as the centre of study of basal cognition and providing networking opportunities for students and early career researchers at RUB to build international networks of contacts.

This conference was oranized by Caroline Stankozi. If you have any questions about the conference, she will be happy to hear from you via e-mail.