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In the past 7 years, the Epigenetic Robotics annual conference has established
itself as a unique place where original interdisciplinary research from
developmental sciences, neuroscience, biology, cognitive robotics, and
artificial intelligence is being presented.
Psychological theory and empirical evidence is being used to inform epigenetic
robotic models, and these models can be used as theoretical tools to make
experimental predictions in developmental psychology.
As in previous years, we encourage submissions from researchers whose work
broadly intersects the fields (and subdisciplines) of developmental science,
robotics, and neuroscience. As a special feature, this year we are also
highlighting a specific organizational theme: evolution and development as
related processes of change.
The particular focus of this theme is on the dynamic interplay between ontogeny
and phylogeny. In other words, how do new abilities and skills that emerge
during development influence the path of evolution, and how do subsequent
evolutionary changes help to create new developmental trajectories? This is a
question that fits well within the mission of epigenetic robotics, as it spans
not only a wide range of research areas and academic disciplines (e.g., biology,
psychology, AI and machine learning, linguistics, anthropology, etc.) but also a
broad spectrum of spatial and temporal scales (e.g., neurons, brains, social
communities, cultures, etc.).
We are especially interested in submissions that will enhance the emerging
dialog between evolutionary and developmental perspectives. Relevant topics
include, but are not limited to:
- Artificial embryology
- Morphogenesis, differentiation, and regulation
- Behavioral inheritance and social learning
- The evolution of language acquisition
- Phylogenetic constraints on perceptual processing (e.g., face perception)
- Neuroplasticity and the evolution of cognition
- Evolutionary influences on mother-infant bonding
- Modularity of mind (evolutionary constraints on neural processing)
- Tool-use and problem-solving in humans, non-human primates, and machines