We invite applications  from PhD students, post-doc and researchers to attend at the Third Edition of the Summer School on “BAYESIAN STATISTICAL ANALYSES FOR THE HUMAN, SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES” jointly organized by the NPSY-Lab.VR, at the Department of Human Sciences, at the University of Verona, and the BASIC-NPSY Research Group.

The use of Bayesian statistics is often claimed to be more widespread and known in the realm of cognitive sciences. However, this approach may be misunderstood and  its application difficult.

The goal of this summer school is to start from the basics of Bayesian Statistical Analysis, to give a comprehensive knowledge of Bayesian Hierarchical Multilevel Methods, and how to get statistical inferences from them.

The Summer School will be held from Monday June 5th to Friday June 9th, 2023, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.

The summer school lessons are intended to be in-person. However, if the worldwide pandemic situation will not allow it (student’s fee: 100 €; post-doc fee: 150 €).

The Italian Society for Psychophysiology and Cognitive Neurosciences (Società Italiana di Psicofisiologia e Neuroscienze Cognitive – SIPF) patronages the summer school.

IMPORTANT: The fee will be paid only upon acceptance.

The accepted applicants will pay either the early bird or the full fee based on the date of their application.

Key Information

Location: University of Verona, Verona, ItalyPeriod: Monday June 5th to Friday June 9th, 2023
Contact: bayeshsc@ateneo.univr.itPoster: Recommended but not mandatory
Student/PhD candidate fee
Early bird (before March 20th):100
Late bird (until the end of April):150
Post-doc/Researcher fee
Early bird (before March 20th):€200
Late bird (until the end of April):300
Notification of acceptance: May 15th, 2023

Download the programme

Download the flyer

Keynote Speakers

Angelika Stefan – Universität der Bundeswehr, München

Stefano Coretta – University of Edinburgh

Hykel Hosni – Università degli Studi di Milano – La Statale

Daniele Luigi Romano – University of Milan – Bicocca

Giorgia Tosi – University of Salento and University of Milan – Bicocca

Massimiliano Badino – University of Verona

Valentina Moro – University of Verona

Fabio Aurelio D’Asaro – University of Verona

Michele Scandola – University of Verona

Programme

Day 1 (Monday) June 5th

Bayesian logic and statistical foundations

TimeTopicTeacher(s)
8:30 – 9:30Registration 
9:30 – 9:45Welcome greetingsValentina Moro
9:45 – 10:45From the Bayes’ Theorem to Bayesian StatisticsFabio Aurelio D’Asaro
10:45 – 11:00Coffee break 
11:00 – 12:30Bayes in my Mind: The applications of the Bayes Theorem in Epistemology, Cognitive Sciences, and NeuroscienceMassimiliano Badino
12:30 – 14:00Lunch break 
14:00 – 15:00The shield and the sword of Bayesian statistics: Priors and Occam’s razorFabio Aurelio D’Asaro
15:00 – 16:00Markov Chain Monte CarloMichele Scandola
16:00 – 16:30Coffee break 
16:30 – 18:00The logic of learning from experienceHykel Hosni

Day 2 (Tuesday) June 6th

Bayesian Linear model analysis with JASP and the BayesFactor package.

TimeTopicTeacher(s)
9:00 – 10:00Inferential Bayes and the Bayes FactorRomano & Tosi
10:00 – 10:30Introduction to JASPRomano & Tosi
10:30 – 11:00Coffee break 
11:00 – 12:30Simple designs (t-tests). Theory and Practice (With JASP)Romano & Tosi
12:30 – 14:30Lunch break + Poster Session 
14:30 – 16:00Factorial Designs (“ANOVA”). Theory and Practice (With JASP)Romano & Tosi
16:00 – 16:30Coffee break 
16:30 – 18:00The BayesFactor R package.Romano & Tosi


Day 3 (Wednesday) June 7th

Bayesian Hierarchical Multilevel Models with the brms package.

TimeTopicTeacher(s)
9:00 – 10:30Introduction to Bayesian linear models Hands-on 2Stefano Coretta
10:30 – 11:00Break 
11:00 – 12:30Model diagnostics Interactions and Group-level (random) effects Hands-on 2Stefano Coretta
12:30 – 14:30Lunch break + Poster Session 
14:30 – 16:00Specifying priors Hands-on 3Stefano Coretta
16:00 – 16:30Break 
16:30 – 18:00Bayesian modelling Q&AStefano Coretta

Day 4 (Thursday) June 8th

Bayesian Design Analysis and Bayesian Robustness checks.

TimeTopicTeacher(s)
9:00 – 10:30Sample Size Planning – The Bayesian WayAngelika Stefan
10:30 – 11:00Coffee break 
11:00 – 12:30Bayesian Robustness ChecksAngelika Stefan
12:30 – 14:30Lunch break + Poster Session 
  Social event!

Day 5 (Friday) June 7th

Creating your own Bayesian statistical analysis: the use of Stan in statistical analysis.

TimeTopicTeacher(s)
9:00 – 10:30Writing your own Bayesian Model in Stan (first part)Michele Scandola Fabio Aurelio D’Asaro
10:30 – 11:00Coffee break 
11:00 – 12:30Writing your own Bayesian Model in Stan (second part)Michele Scandola Fabio Aurelio D’Asaro
12:30 – 14:30Lunch break + Best Poster Prize 
14:30 – 16:00Writing your own Bayesian Model in Stan (third part) Michele Scandola Fabio Aurelio D’Asaro
16:00 – 16:30Coffee break 
16:30 – 18:00Hands-on workshopMichele Scandola Fabio Aurelio D’Asaro
18:00 – 18:30The bmscstan package: Bayesian Multilevel Single Case analysis Michele Scandola Fabio Aurelio D’Asaro

How to apply

Deadline for applications April 30, 2023.

Each application must be in English and should include

  1. a short CV – max two pages;
  2. a motivation letter (max 500 words);
  3. – optional but recommended – an abstract (max 350 words) concerning the poster you intend to present at the summer school (check the website for the template).
  4. fill out this questionnaire (https://forms.office.com/e/YfawKwNQbv)
    1.  

Applications should be sent at bayeshsc@ateneo.univr.it

Participants will be selected based on participants’ CV, motivation letter, poster abstract, research interests, and balance within the group regarding gender and geographical origin, with a preference for profiles with R experience. Incomplete applications and applications presented in languages other than English will not be considered.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR INSTITUTION, ITS ADDRESS, COUNTRY AND OFFICIAL EMAIL IN YOUR CV.

Notification of decisions will be sent to applicants via email the May 15, 2023.

Participation fees:

  • Students and Ph.D. students: before March 20 – 100 €; until April 30 – 150 €
  • Post-docs and researchers: before March 20 – 200 €; until April 30 – 300 €