Bernstein Conference 2025 - Satellite Workshop

Join the global computational neuroscience community at the Bernstein Conference 2025, September 29 to October 2 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. This annual event brings together scholars and researchers worldwide to explore groundbreaking discoveries, including a special contribution from Prof. Petra Ritter. Don’t miss the forefront of computational neuroscience!

The Bernstein Conference 2025 will take place from Monday, September 29 to Thursday, October 2, 2025, at Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. This annual gathering is a leading forum in the field of computational neuroscience, bringing together an international community of experts to advance the understanding of brain function through modeling, analysis, and theory.

This year’s edition will once again feature high-caliber talks, poster sessions, and satellite workshops aimed at exploring the frontiers of brain science. Notably, Prof. Petra Ritter will participate in a satellite workshop that focuses on machine learning methods for interpretable dynamical models constrained by neural recordings.

About the Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience

The Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience fosters collaboration among diverse scientific disciplines to unravel the complexities of brain dynamics. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, it supports innovative research and education in computational neuroscience.
One of its most sustainable developments is the Bernstein Conference. Launched in 2005 as the ‘Bernstein Symposium,’ this annual scientific meeting has grown in size and scope to become the internationally renowned Bernstein Conference, now one of the most reputable events in computational neuroscience worldwide.

To learn more about the network and its activities, please visit the official Bernstein Network website.

Highlight On

A key highlight of this year’s Bernstein Conference is the satellite workshop titled "Machine learning advances for constraining interpretable models of dynamics from brain recordings" taking place on Monday, September 29 and Tuesday, September 30. This workshop is co-organized by Richard Gao (University of Tübingen) and Manuel Brenner (University of Heidelberg), and brings together experts in computational modeling and machine learning, including Prof. Petra Ritter, to discuss how emerging ML techniques can enhance the development of interpretable brain models grounded in empirical data.

The workshop centers on methods that bridge biophysical realism and data-driven modeling. It emphasizes two main criteria: that models must be explicitly constrained by recorded brain activity, and that they remain interpretable—whether through their underlying design or through analytical approaches. Topics will include mechanistic models like spiking neuron networks and neural mass models, structured ML approaches such as SLDS and LFADS, and a range of inference strategies including automatic differentiation, evolutionary algorithms, and Bayesian inference. Among the invited speakers is Prof. Petra Ritter, presenting her talk, "Whole brain simulations for personalized therapies" scheduled for 17:30 on Monday, September 29.

More info about the workshop here.

Join Us in Frankfurt

Whether you're a student, researcher, or academic leader, the Bernstein Conference 2025 is your chance to connect with cutting-edge research and contribute to ongoing discussions in the field. Registration is now open on the official website. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this inspiring event and hear from leading voices like Prof. Ritter.

For more information and to register, visit the official Bernstein Conference website.