Programme Overview
This intensive three-day offline winter school brings together leading researchers from CHIC and ICN at HSE University to provide graduating and master's students with a comprehensive introduction to contemporary cognitive psychology, neuroscience, neurolinguistics and genetics. Days 1 and Day 2 consist of lectures covering foundational and advanced topics. The Day 2 will conclude with organized poster sessions, during which participants will have the opportunity to present their research. The Day 3 includes hands-on training in the three principal neuroimaging, eyetracking, and neurostimulation methods used at HSE.
Open to
Graduate students or master students. Bachelor-level knowledge in neuroscience, psychology, or related fields is expected from all participants.
Participation
We aim to host a diverse and engaged audience of up to 30 participants, including researchers and students with an interest in cognitive psychology and neuroscience, psycholinguistics, and genetics. Through lectures, discussions, joint activities, and a poster session, the Winter school will provide a stimulating environment to exchange knowledge, develop skills, and build new collaborations.
Applicants will have the opportunity to submit their scientific abstracts which will be further presented in a poster session. This will give participants the opportunity to present their work to the entire audience and receive feedback from peers and experts. In addition, the program will feature a networking session, such as a round table, designed to foster collaboration and stimulate new research directions.
Program
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07.12.2026
FOUNDATIONS: BRAIN, GENES & COGNITION -
08.12.2026
LANGUAGE, INTELLIGENCE & MULTIMODAL COGNITION -
09.12.2026
PRACTICAL LAB TRAINING
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09:00–09:30
Welcome & Introduction to the Winter School
Yury Shtyrov, Director, Leading Research Fellow of Cognitive Health and Intelligence Centre (CHIC), HSE University -
09:30–11:00
Cognitive Neuroanatomy
Brain organization underpinning language, memory, and executive function
Jubin Abutalebi, Leading Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University -
11:00–11:20
Break
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11:20–12:20
Behavioural Genetics of Cognitive Functions
Heritability of intelligence, language ability, and individual differences
Yulia Kovas, Leading Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University -
12:20-13:00
Polygenic architecture of complex traits
Introduction and practical implementation
Anna Pavlova, Junior research fellow of CHIC, HSE University -
13:00–14:00
Break
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14:00–15:30
Neural bases of Bilingualism
Neural correlates of bilingualism, language in ageing, neuroprotection
Jubin Abutalebi, Leading Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University -
15:30–15:50
Break
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15:50–17:20
Neural Bases of Learning & Memory
Mechanisms of memory formation, consolidation, and synaptic plasticity
Yury Shtyrov, Director, Leading Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University -
17:20–17:45
Q&A and Open Discussion
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09:00–10:30
Psycholinguistics & Neurolinguistics of Language Use:
Sentence production and comprehension, language-cognition interface
Andriy Myachykov, Leading Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University -
10:30–10:50
Break
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10:50–12:20
Intelligence, Neural Eefficiency & Intellectual Productivity
Fluid intelligence, neural efficiency, and the neuroscience of problem-solving
Olga Shcherbakova, Leading Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University -
12:20–13:20
Break
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13:20–14:50
Embodied, Grounded, and Situated Bases of Communication:
Multimodal linguistic cognition, embodied cognition, affordances, number processing
Andriy Myachykov, Leading Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University -
14:50–15:10
Break
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15:10–16:30
Biomarkers, Neuroimaging & Systems Neuroscience
Neuroanatomical biomarkers, subcortical structures, AI applications in neuroscience
Evgeniia Alshanskaia, Research fellow of CHIC, HSE University -
16:30–17:00
Introduction to Day 3 Labs
Methods overview: Eye Tracking, ERP/EEG, TMS — safety protocols and expectations
Lab Team Leads -
17:00–19:00
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Student Presentations
Students rotate through three lab stations in small groups (≈ 8–12 per group). Each session begins with a brief methods lecture (approx. 20 minutes) followed by hands-on data collection and analysis.
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09:00–09:30
Plenary Introduction
Overview of neuroscientific methods: when and why to use each tool
Yury Shtyrov, Director, Leading Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University -
09:30–11:00
Lab A — Eye Tracking
Principles of eye tracking; experimental design for reading, visual cognition, and language research; hands-on data collection and basic analysis
Anna Izmalkova, Deputy Director, Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University; Zhanna Chuikova, Junior research fellow of CHIC, HSE UniversityLab B — ERP / EEG Lab
Principles of EEG and event-related potentials; electrode placement; typical ERP components in language research (N400, P600, MMN); data inspection
Yury Shtyrov, Director, Leading Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University;
Nikita Otstavnov, Research fellow of CHIC, HSE University
Lab C — TMS Lab
Principles of transcranial magnetic stimulation; safety protocols; single-pulse and repetitive TMS; applications in cognitive and language neuroscience
Matteo Feurra, Associate Professor of Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, HSE University -
11:00–11:30
Break
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11:30–13:00
Groups Rotate — Second Lab Session
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13:00–14:00
Break
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14:00–15:30
Groups Rotate — Third Lab Session
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15:30–16:00
Break
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16:00–17:30
Closing Round Table: Designing Your Own Study
Students propose a mini research question using one of the three methods; group feedback from all instructors -
17:30–18:00
Closing Ceremony
Yury Shtyrov, Director, Leading Research Fellow of CHIC, HSE University
Speakers
Центр исследований интеллекта и когнитивного благополучия: Ведущий научный сотрудник
Центр исследований интеллекта и когнитивного благополучия: Ведущий научный сотрудник
Центр исследований интеллекта и когнитивного благополучия: Директор центра
Центр исследований интеллекта и когнитивного благополучия: Ведущий научный сотрудник
Центр исследований интеллекта и когнитивного благополучия: Научный сотрудник
Центр исследований интеллекта и когнитивного благополучия: Научный сотрудник
Центр исследований интеллекта и когнитивного благополучия: Младший научный сотрудник
Центр исследований интеллекта и когнитивного благополучия: Научный сотрудник
Институт когнитивных нейронаук: Доцент
Registration
Dear participants, before you proceed with the registration steps, please familiarize yourself with the following information. Participation in the School implies presenting the results of your own research or research idea during the poster session on Day 2. For this reason, in the registration form, you must attach a .docx file with a short abstract. The research abstract should include information about the research relevance, purpose, hypotheses, sample characteristics, methods, and main findings. The word limit is restricted to 500 words. Note that the abstract should be signed by your scientific advisor. Additionally, you will be required to attach a motivation letter, which should be about 1 page length.
The participation fee is 5000 rubles.
Application deadline: October 31th, 2026
Contacts
For any inquiry, please reach out via the following email addresses:
Anastasiia Liashenko, aklyashenko@hse.ru
Zhanna Chuikova, zhchuikova@hse.ru
