Evolution and Dynamics of Learning
Workshop to be held during ECAL
September 10-14, 2007. Lisbon, Portugal.
http://www.ecal2007.org/
http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/ccnr/edl07/

The idea of the workshop will be to review and discuss both the
underlying evolutionary conditions and the mechanisms of learning in
any sort of evolved agent, biological or artificial preferably using a
situated, embodied, dynamical systems approach.

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IMPORTANT DATES
===============

Paper submission deadline:    Friday, May 18th, 2007
Notification of acceptance:   Friday, June 8th, 2007
Camera-ready submissions:     Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

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PROGRAMME COMMITTEE
===================

Randall Beer
Ezequiel Di Paolo
Inman Harvey
Jun Tani
Elio Tuci
Peter Todd
Takashi Ikegami
Stefano Nolfi

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PAPER SUBMISSION
================

We are seeking papers that deal with the evolution and/or dynamics of
learning. We are particularly interested in contributions that deal
with learning behavior in an unconventional manner. All papers will be
reviewed by a minimum of two members of the scientific programme
committee. Submissions should be full papers, following the Springer
LNCS format, with a maximum page length of 12 pages. Authors should
remain anonymous, as the review process will be double-blind review.
Submissions should be sent in PDF format by email to e.j.izquierdo-
tor...@sussex.ac.uk and eldan.goldenb...@case.edu

All selected papers will be published in the proceedings of ECAL 07
workshops, as a CD-ROM, which will be distributed to all delegates of
the conference on arrival. In addition to the CD-ROM proceedings, a
selection of papers may be chosen to comprise a special issue of the
Adaptive Behavior Journal.

Further information:
http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/ccnr/edl07/submit.html

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TOPICS OF INTEREST
==================

The idea of this workshop is to review and discuss both the underlying
evolutionary conditions and the mechanisms of learning in any sort of
evolved agent, biological or artificial. Topics will include but are
not limited to the following:
    -    Phylogeny of learning: comparing species to understand the
evolution of learning
    -    Niche-fitting: how an agent's ecological niche determines
whether and what type of learning behaviour will evolve
    -    Memory arising from brain, body, environment interactions
    -    Transient dynamics: in conventional dynamic approaches to
learning and other cognitive behaviors emphasis is made on equilibria,
what role do transients play?
    -    Multiple timescales: the role of fast and slow dynamics in
learning
    -    Sense-making: learning what your sensors are telling you
about your interactions with the world
    -    Hebb and homeostatic adaptations: balance between de-
stabilizing and stabilizing internal mechanisms
    -    Unusual substrates: learning in systems that do not fit the
conventional image of animal-brain-like neural networks

Further information:
http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/ccnr/edl07/focus.html

===============
WORKSHOP FORMAT
===============

Our aim to foster active participation in a broad discussion of these
issues.  To this end, we will limit the number of accepted papers in
order to keep time free for two open discussion sessions during the
workshop.  Submissions that raise questions and challenge accepted
views are strongly encouraged.

==========
ORGANISERS
==========

Eldan Goldenberg (Case Western Reserve University)
http://research.eldan.co.uk/

Eduardo Izquierdo-Torres (University of Sussex)
http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/users/eji21/