Conference about techniques and methods for measuring behavior

A quick search on the internet reveals that no one seems to know how many scientific conferences take place in a year. The best I could find was “it’s got to be huge”, and when it comes to it, that is as a good a quantification as you need. With so many meetings, in so many fields of behavioural research, what makes Measuring Behavior stand out? Two very important things. 

New methods and techniques are vital for the advancement of science

First it is not about results, which is very unusual. Virtually every conference focuses on scientific results. However, in practice, it is often the developments in methodology that have lead to the real advances in science. Without the microscope there would have been no microbiology. Without the telescope, there would be no astronomy. And without x-ray crystallography, Watson and Crick would never have discovered the structure of DNA. New methods and techniques are vital for the advancement of science.

Multi-disciplinary conference

Second, Measuring Behavior is an astonishingly multi-disciplinary conference. ‘Behavior’ is something you can study in drivers of vehicles, rats in cages, eagles in the air, fish in the sea and players in games. In the every edition of the conference, all these topics have special sessions devoted to them.

Likewise, participants will include ethologists, behavioral ecologists, neuroscientists, experimental psychologists, human factors researchers, movement scientists, robotics engineers, software designers, electronic engineers, human-computer interaction specialists, physiologists, and countless more.

History of Measuring Behavior

It started in 1996 as a workshop organised by Dr. Berry Spruijt and Dr. Lucas Noldus in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Lucas Noldus’s company, Noldus Information Technology, has had a long-term commitment to the conference over the years, and is the chief sponsor. Each edition, great care is taken that the conference program is scientifically independent of the sponsor by means of an anonymous peer review supervised by a Scientific Program Committee.

Since its first edition in 1996, there have been numerous conferences organized. The second edition was held at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, 18-21 August 1998. Two years later in 2000, the conference took place in Nijmegen (NL), followed by the 2002 edition in Amsterdam.

Measuring Behavior 2005

The 5^th Measuring Behavior conference was held in Wageningen (The Netherlands) from 30 August through 2 September 2005. Delegates from 36 countries enjoyed four intensive days, with 250 presentations in symposia, tutorials, special interest groups, user meetings, scientific tours, free paper sessions and poster groups! Besides that, delegates visited demonstrations of exhibiting companies. And last but not least, the great weather made the social events even more enjoyable.

Measuring Behavior 2008

The 6th Measuring Behavior conference was held in Maastricht (The Netherlands) from 26 - 29 August. Delegates from 42 countries enjoyed four intensive days. The Measuring Behavior conference featured three insightful keynote lectures. Professor Gregory D. Abowd from Georgia Institute of Technology discussed measuring behavior in home environments. Professor David P. Wolfer from the University of Zürich explored the promises of automated testing of mouse behavior in home cages. Lastly, Professor Sir Patrick Bateson from Cambridge University highlighted innovative techniques for measuring behavior.

Measuring Behavior 2010

The 7th International Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research took place in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, from August 24-27, 2010. Nearly 400 attendees participated in four days filled with engaging keynote lectures, symposia, tutorials, workshops, scientific tours, and enjoyable social events.

Measuring Behavior 2012

In 2012, the International Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral research returned to its roots. Over 300 participants from more than 30 countries worldwide attended Measuring Behavior 2012 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Delegates from various backgrounds blended in with exhibitors and developers from leading companies, ensuring a productive cross-fertilization between research fields.

Measuring Behavior 2014

Measuring Behavior 2014 was successfully held in the city of Wageningen from 27-29 August 2014. Best known for it's international Wageningen University and many research institutes, Wageningen has a considerable number of groups working on research related to both animal and human behavior. Like previous editions the conference focused on methods and techniques in behavioral research. This year there was a special emphasis on new inventions, prototypes, and techniques.

Measuring Behavior 2016

For the first time ever Measuring Behavior was hosted outside of The Netherlands. From 25-27 May 2016, Dublin formed be the stage for the latest inventions, prototypes, and techniques in behavioral research. The conference was hosted by Dublin City University and the Insight Centre for Data Analytics. The welcome reception took place in the Guinness Storehouse at their legendary Gravity Bar, an iconic spot that offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. The conference banquet was held at Clontarf Castle.

Measuring Behavior 2018

From 6-8 June 2018, Manchester was the stage for the latest inventions, prototypes, and techniques in behavioral research. The conference was hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University and welcomed over 250 international delegates. The event featured a variety of keynote lectures, workshops, and symposia, fostering interdisciplinary discussions and collaborations among researchers from diverse fields.

Measuring Behavior 2022

After events were postponed due to the worldwide pandemic, the conference moved entirely online for the first time. The 12th International Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research, together with the 6th International Seminar on Behavioral Methods, took place as a virtual meeting.

Measuring Behavior 2024

The 13th International Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research, Measuring Behavior 2024, was held in person again in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Department of Biomedical Sciences at Aberdeen University has a long and impressive track record in both behavioral research and supporting the Measuring Behavior conferences.

Three excellent keynote speakers covered methods for research in human behavior, animal behavior and AI analysis. Anne-Marie Brouwer spoke about measuring mental states, Robert Gerlai presented about learning and zebrafish, and Albert Ali Salah gave a keynote talk about computational tools.

Measuring Behavior conferences

It must be clear that at any Measuring Behavior meeting, you'll find yourself among researchers from all fields of behavioral research. While the research questions and applications may be highly diverse, what all delegates share is an interest in methods, techniques and tools for the study of behavior.

You can learn more about the Measuring Behavior conferences and future editions at www.measuringbehavior.org.