INCF Workshops on Needs for Training in Neuroinformatics: Extended and Short Course Provision

Abstract

This report summarizes the outcomes of two workshops held in 2009 by INCF - in Pilsen on September 9 and in Edinburgh on October 26-27. In these two workshops, the issues arising in providing extended courses, such as a full time Masters, or short courses, of a few days or a few weeks, were discussed. There was a focus on how the INCF could facilitate training in these types of courses. Influencing the extended provision is a long term goal and requires knowledge of the whole range of skills that are to be acquired and how courses to satisfy these needs would fit in with existing provision. In Workshop 2, delegates concentrated on developing the list of subject areas where neuroinformatics training is needed, an exercise that was initiated in Workshop 1. It is hoped that this exercise can be carried forward as a community project. In Workshop 3, there was discussion on both the stumbling blocks encountered when design-ing and running short courses and what new short courses are required. This led to the view that there is a strong need for an organisation with a coordination function in neuroinformatics training, a role that INCF could adopt. Three ways in which INCF can be involved were identified, which led to specific recommendations on the coordination of existing material, validation of courses and funding of short training work-shops. In all cases the result would be the generation of significant web-based training material that can be used by INCF. Six recommendations were made from Workshops 2 and 3, to add to the seven from Workshop 1. The key recommendation from Workshop 3, reinforcing the key recommendation from Workshop 1, was that a small initiative be established by INCF to fund annual short courses in neuroinformatics.