The Cognition & Behavior Evolution Network is pleased to announce its annual conference, set to take place on September 18-19, 2025. This year’s theme, "Looking Back & Looking Forward," reflects on the foundational contributions of past researchers while embracing the future directions of our field.

Scientific progress is built on the discoveries of past generations, and this year, we explore this dynamic in the study of cognition and behavior. We dedicate our program to honoring foundational contributions while highlighting new research shaping the future. Our two-day conference will focus on two interwoven perspectives:

Day 1: Behavior & Primatology – Honoring the past and future of primate behavior research.

• Keynote: Dr. Zanna Clay (Durham University) will give a Frans de Waal Lecture honoring the late Frans de Waal, celebrating his legacy and exploring how his pioneering work continues to shape our understanding of primate social cognition.
• Keynote: Dr. Koen Margodt, a collaborator of Jane Goodall, will share insights from his research on animal ethics.

Day 2: Cognition & Evolutionary Psychology – Solid foundations and future orientations in cognitive science.

• Keynote: Prof. Leda Cosmides (UC Santa Barbara), one of the core founders of evolutionary psychology, will discuss the origins and impact of evolutionary cognitive science.
• Keynote: Gerd Gigerenzer (Max Planck Institute for Human Development)

In addition to our keynote speakers, the conference will feature PhD student and researcher talks, ensuring a vibrant discussion about the next generation’s contributions. There will also be a Frans de Waal PhD Dissertation Prize and a CBEN New Investigator Award.

The full programmes is accessible online: full programme

The planned program at a glance:

Thursday September 18 2025

Venue:  Promotiezaal Grauwzusters

• 08:45 – 09:15 – Registration and start of poster dispaly (at the patio)
• 09:15 – 09:30 – Welcome
• 09:30 - 10:30 - Keynote Koen Margodt
• 10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee & Posters Break
• 11:00 – 12u30 –  Session 1 - Animal development, personality and social structure
• 12:40 – 14:00 – Lunch break (on your own)

• 14:00 – 15:15 – Session 2 - Animal cognition, emotion and behavior
• 15:15 – 15:45 – Coffee & Posters Break
• 15:45 - 16:00 - Intro to Frans de Waal Lecture by Catherine Marin
• 16:00 – 17:00 – Frans de Waal Lecture - Zanna Clay
• 17:00 – 17:15 – Frans de Waal PhD Dissertation Prize
• 17:15 – 18:00 – Interactive poster session with reception (at the patio)

Optional: Conference dinner at 19u

Friday September 19 2025

Venue:  Promotiezaal Grauwzusters

• 09:00 – 09:30 – Poster Display
• 9:30 – 10:30 – Keynote Gerd Gigerenzer
• 10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee & Posters Break
• 11:00 – 12u30 – Session 3 - New frontiers in cooperation
• 12:30 – 14:00 – Lunch break (on your own)

• 14:00 – 15:30 – Session 4 - Adaptive responses to people and pathogens
• 15:30 – 16:00 – Coffee & Posters Break
• 16:00 – 17:00 – Keynote Leda Cosmides
• 17:00 – 17:15 – CBEN Investigator Award
• 17:15 - 17:30 - Goodbye

Keynote  Speakers

Prof. Dr. Zanna Clay - https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/zanna-e-clay/

Dr. Koen Margodt - https://www.koenmargodt.com/

Prof. Dr. Leda Cosmides - https://psych.ucsb.edu/people/faculty/leda-cosmides

Prof. Dr. Gerd Gigerenzer - https://www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/staff/gerd-gigerenzer​

The full program including ll abstracts will be available soon!

​Online registration form​

For the CBEN conference, the available poster boards are 144 cm wide and 122 cm high

• The maximum size your poster can be is 144 cm (W) × 122 cm (H).
• The orientation is landscape (wider than tall), so make sure your poster is designed accordingly.
• A commonly used size that fits well within this limit is A0 landscape:
• 118.9 cm (W) × 84.1 cm (H) — this will leave a nice margin around your poster.

​Full Programme​

Venue

The venue for this meeting in University of Antwerp, City Campus (map: https://www.uantwerp.be/en/campus-life/on-your-way-to-campus/)

Building S, Grauwzusters - Lange Sint-Annastraat 7, 2000 Antwerp

Accommodations

The venue is located in the city centre of Antwerp. Many hotels are close by, ranging from budget to high end.

Organization & Questions

CBEN2025 is organized by Charlotte De Backer, Carolyn Declerck (both UAntwerpen) and Andreas De Block (KULeuven). If you have any questions, contact Charlotte De Backer:  charlotte.debacker@uantwerpen.be

CBEN 2025 is sponsored by Brill

​Brill is now part of De Gruyter Brill. Find out more at: www.degruyterbrill.com

With the support of