Summer School - International Rationality Summer Institutes (IRSI) 2018, Germany

International Rationality Summer Institutes (IRSI) 2018

Rationality is central to many disciplines, including philosophy, psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and economics. This may suggest that research in these fields should be conducted in close concert, but researchers in these disciplines unfortunately seldom have the chance to collaborate with and learn from one another. Philosophers theorize about what it means to be rational; psychologists empirically investigate whether people are rational; cognitive neuroscientists identify the neural correlates of rational thinking and decision-making; and economists develop mathematically precise models of rationality. The aim of the International Rationality Summer Institutes (IRSI) is to overcome this division between by providing an environment in which students can learn the state-of-the-art research on rationality in in each of these neighboring disciplines. 

Within the IRSI series, after IRSI1 that focused on individual rationality, IRSI2 (Kloster Irsee, Germany, September 2 – 14, 2018) will focus on collective rationality. The goal of IRSI2 will be to build bridges across traditional disciplinary boundaries by presenting, over two intense weeks, state-of-the-art research on topics including the following:

• the concept of collective rationality and its relationship to individual rationality;
• the main models of, and empirical findings about, social reasoning, argumentation, and heuristics;
• prescriptive and descriptive theories of collective decision-making (in both strategic and non-strategic settings);
• and the main insights from social psychology, at the behavioral, cognitive, and neural levels.

Stipends

Thanks to the exceptionally generous funding of the VolkswagenStiftung, all successful applicants will receive a full stipend covering the participation fee, board, and lodging. The stipend will also cover traveling costs (within different limits depending on whether the student travels from Germany, Europe, or farther away—the limits will be communicated to the successful applicants in due time). However, please note that traveling costs can only be reimbursed after IRSI2. Besides, note that the costs for visa applications cannot be covered. 

Who may apply?

The Summer Institute targets doctoral students and early-stage postdocs from psychology, philosophy, cognitive (neuro)science, economics, and any related field. Advanced students with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in one of these disciplines and an outstanding interest in the topic are also encouraged to apply. Most importantly, applicants should have a genuine research interest in human rationality. A good command of the English language is necessary.

An important selection criterion will be international diversity and interdisciplinarity. Furthermore, women and members from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

How to apply?

We only accept applications in English. Applications will be processed using Easychair. To apply, please set up an Easychair account (or log into your account if you have one already), and upload the following documents:

1. 1. The following material, in one single PDF document:
      1. A statement of interest, explaining your background and why you would like to participate in IRSI2 and what you expect from your participation (max. 2 pages)
      2. Your Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications (if applicable)
      3. Scans of certificates (Master’s degree and/or PhD certificate; Bachelor’s degree [only if it is currently your highest degree]; please include a translation of documents which are not in English or German [we accept your own translation], including information on the respective grading system
      4. A detailed estimate of your traveling costs
   2. A title and a 100-words abstract for your own research project, that connects your work to the Summer Institute, and which you will present at the Young Scientists’ Forum.
   3. Additionally, two letters of recommendation, to be sent directly to application@2018.irsi-school.de.

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below. 

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://2018.irsi-school.de/applications-stipends/