Proposer: International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)
Title: NCAMH Special Interest Event: Building Capacity and Community in Global Neuroscience
Date & Time: Wednesday, 20 May 2026; 19:00 – 20:00
Location: Room Montreal 6-7-8 @ Bonaventure Hotel
Approximate Attendance: 200 participants
Description & Aims:
This Special Interest Event (SiE) is organized within the framework of the Neuroscience Capacity Accelerator for Mental Health (NCAMH), an innovative program supporting neuroscience research capacity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Following the scheduled EDI session, the event aims to elevate lived experience perspectives in mental health research and highlight the value of international collaboration.
The event will begin with a brief moderated conversation reflecting on practical experiences of international mobility and collaboration, the translation of EDI principles into capacity building, and what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice. This will be followed by an informal networking session with drinks and snacks, where participants can move between discussion tables focused on LMIC-led research, mobility pathways and barriers, and the inclusion of lived experience in neuroscience research, and join conversations that best match their interests.
Special Interest Event Timeline & Speakers:
Fireside Chat | 10-15 minutes
- Introduction to the session and its aim to build on themes from the previous EDI session
- Reflections on practical experiences of international mobility and cross-border collaboration, including challenges and enabling factors
- Examples of how DEI principles can be applied to capacity building and research partnerships
- Exploration of what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice, with a focus on integrating lived experience into neuroscience and mental health research
Speakers
- Emma Byrne, PhD | Robot Scientist, Neuroscience Author
- Andreea Dioconescu, PhD | NCAMH Project Collaborator
- Julie Lefebvre, PhD | Former NCAMH Scientific Advisory Board Member
Networking Session | 45-50 minutes
Informal discussions organized around theme stations to encourage networking and knowledge exchange:
- LMIC-led research and capacity building
- Mobility pathways and barriers
- Inclusion of Lived Experience in Neuroscience Research
Drinks & Snacks Provided
Discussion Table Moderators
- Emma Byrne, PhD | Robot Scientist, Neuroscience Author
- Andreea Dioconescu, PhD | NCAMH Project Collaborator
- Julie Lefebvre, PhD | Former NCAMH Scientific Advisory Board Member
- Adriatik Bytyçi | IBRO Secretariat
- Angeliki Lorents | IBRO Secretariat