Participate in the summer school of the University of Padua: “Sensing time: How we process time across real and extended realities”

From 6 to 10 July 2026, the second Timing Research Forum (TRF) summer school “Sensing time: How we process time across real and extended realities” will bring together students and researchers at the University of Padua.

The initiative is organised within the framework of the Shaping a World-class programme of the University of Padua in collaboration with TRF, further strengthening academic exchange within Arqus.

Hosted by the Department of General Psychology, the summer school will offer an intensive and interdisciplinary exploration of one of the human mind’s most fascinating mysteries: how we experience the passage of time.

A week at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience and technology

Throughout the week, participants will examine the time perception from multiple perspectives: psychology, neuroscience and cutting-edge technological approaches. The programme combines keynote lectures by internationally renowned scholars with practical workshops, poster sessions and group activities.

Keynote speakers include:

• Marc Wittmann, on interoception and the sense of time

• Sophie Herbst, on temporal predictions in perception and action

• Yuko Yotsumoto

• Thomas Hinault, on age-related changes in time perception and memory

• Ayelet Landau, on advances in non-invasive electrophysiology (M/EEG)

• Martin Riemer

Participants will also also attend specialised talks by Alice Teghil, Fiorella del Popolo Cristaldi, Mariagrazia Capizzi, Antonino Visalli, Pom Charras and Luigi Micillo, among others.

Hands-on research training

A core feature of the summer school is its strong practical component. Over four days, attendees will engage in four-hour daily hands-on sessions, gaining direct experience with advanced research tools and methodologies used in cognitive science laboratories.

Training covers:

• Psychophysiological indices: recording and analysing electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG) and electrodermal activity (EDA), from sensor placement and signal acquisition to artifact detection and data analysis.

• Eye-tracking methodology: setting up an eye-tracking lab, working with SMI and Pupil Labs systems and analysing fixations, blinks and pupil diameter.

• EEG and brain stimulation: applying transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) and electrophysiological recording (EEG), including bipolar, high-definition and multifocal electrode montages.

These sessions will allow participants not only to understand the theoretical foundations of each method but also to collect, process and interpret real data, strengthening both their scientific and technical skill sets.

Academic excellence and intercultural exchange

Designed particularly for Master’s students and early-stage PhD researchers aiming to advance in cognitive sciences, the summer school will also emphasise the development of cross-disciplinary competences such as teamwork, critical thinking and intercultural collaboration.

Beyond the academic programme, participants will enjoy a guided visit to two of Padova’s most iconic landmarks: the historic Palazzo del Bo and the Orto Botanico di Padova, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The week will conclude with group presentations, a social dinner and closing aperitivo, fostering networking and community-building among young researchers from across Europe.

Arqus benefits and participation

The programme will be recognised with 3 ECTS credits. The registration fee is set at €500, with a 50% fee waiver available for students from Arqus universities (Granada, Graz, Leipzig, Lyon 1, Maynooth, Minho, Padua, Vilnius and Wrocław), reinforcing Arqus’ commitment to inclusive mobility and academic collaboration.

The fee covers lectures and course materials, Wi-Fi and coffee breaks, light lunches, a welcome cocktail, a guided city tour and a social dinner.

For further information, interested students can contact sensingtime2026@gmail.com or summerschool@unipd.it, or visit the summer school’s dedicated website.