SfN 2024: Where neuroscience meets community, collaboration, and innovation

This year, over 30,000 people attended to immerse themselves in the latest neuroscience advancements, a testament to the conference’s appeal and significance. The event has become a major career milestone for nearly half a million neuroscientists who present their research, advancing their contributions to the field on a global scale.

Engagement and institutional visibility

Beyond individual research presentations, institutions also seize the opportunity at SfN to build visibility and connect with the broader neuroscience community. Katie Edwards, AVP of Public Engagement at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, shared the excitement felt by her team:

For the MPFI, the exhibit floor represents not just a marketing venue but a unique chance to engage directly with budding neuroscientists, established researchers, and potential collaborators. Institutes like these find immense value in reaching out to the broad and diverse scientific community at SfN, highlighting opportunities that may not always be visible through standard academic channels.

Empowering researchers with open science

Open science and accessible resources are becoming increasingly important in the scientific community, and SfN is a significant platform for organizations dedicated to these principles. Kaitlyn Casimo, PhD, MEd, who leads the Allen Institute’s Education & Engagement Program, emphasized the role of conferences like SfN in raising awareness about open resources and the opportunity to engage directly with end-users and collaborators.

Casimo’s insights capture how SfN serves as a nexus for knowledge exchange and networking, helping open science organizations connect with diverse members of the neuroscience community who can benefit from and build on their resources. Casimo also praised the diversity of SfN’s audience:

Forging connections across disciplines

Another significant highlight of SfN 2024 has been its value in fostering interdisciplinary connections and collaborations. For Dr. Heather M. Snyder, Alzheimer’s Association’s senior vice president of medical and scientific operations, SfN provided a meaningful space for professionals dedicated to neurodegenerative disease research:

For organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, these gatherings allow for more than just academic exchange—they provide a forum for mentorship, career guidance, and sharing strategies for establishing successful research labs. The networking benefits extend beyond the immediate event, fostering collaborations that can potentially accelerate advancements in fields like Alzheimer’s research.

Read More: Inside the Alzheimer's Association: Dr. Heather Snyder on Driving Research and Collaboration

The power of innovation and future directions

At its core, SfN 2024 is a platform for innovation where new techniques and technologies are introduced and discussed in ways that spark creativity and progress. For example, this year’s special talks and lectures featured some of the most cutting-edge research and methodologies, inspiring attendees with possibilities for their work.

Through firsthand quotes, such as those from Max Planck, the Allen Institute, and the Alzheimer’s Association, it’s clear that SfN 2024 serves as more than just an annual event. It’s a catalyst for collaboration, an incubator for new ideas, and a crucial stepping stone for scientists at all career stages.

Furthermore, by featuring organizations and resources dedicated to open science and public engagement, SfN reinforces its commitment to expanding access to scientific knowledge worldwide.

Conclusion

The SfN annual meeting continues to be a pivotal space for neuroscientists to connect, collaborate, and push the boundaries of understanding the brain. SfN 2024 has shown that the event’s role in building community, facilitating knowledge exchange, and fostering innovation in neuroscience remains as vital as ever.

As neuroscience continues to advance, the insights, connections, and resources gained at SfN will undoubtedly shape the field’s future. For scientists, institutions, and organizations committed to understanding the complexities of the brain, the Society for Neuroscience meeting is more than just a conference—it is an indispensable part of the journey.

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