The Connected Minds Conference 2025 promises to be a dynamic and inspiring gathering, where ideas and innovation come alive. This October, we’ll convene academics, industry leaders, and policymakers with the Connected Minds community to explore the intersection of technology, health, and society. Through engaging panel discussions, insightful keynotes, and rich conversations, participants will delve into critical topics shaping our world.
The conference will feature vibrant poster sessions and exhibitions from leading organizations and partners, showcasing advancements that push boundaries and spark new possibilities. Beyond the sessions, it’s an opportunity to network, exchange knowledge, and collaborate across disciplines in a setting designed to foster creativity and transformative thinking. Whether you come to share, learn, or connect, the Connected Minds Academic Conference is your platform to help shape the future!
Registration coming soon! Click here to receive updates when tickets become available.
We will also be issuing a call for abstracts soon—stay tuned for more details on how to submit your proposals.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
SOCIAL MEDIA, NEURAL DEVELOPMENT, AND MENTAL HEALTH
S. Shyam Sundar
Evan Pugh University Professor and James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects, Penn State University
Christian Montag
Professor and Associate Director of the Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau
Munmun De Choudhury
J.Z. Liang Associate Professor, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology
TECHNOLOGIES FOR REMOTE HEALTH AND EMBODIMENT
Alan Kingstone
Professor and Distinguished Scholar, University of British Columbia
Karon MacLean
Professor, CRC in Interactive Human Systems Design, Director, UBC Designing for People Research Cluster, University of British Columbia
Ivar Mendez
Professor Emeritus and Director of the Virtual Care and Remote Presence Robotics Programs, University of Saskatchewan
MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
Jennifer Campos
Professor, CRC in Multisensory Integration & Aging, University of Toronto, Associate Director-Academic & Senior Scientist at KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Associate Scientific Director at AGE-WELL
David Lepofsky
Visiting Professor of Disability Rights, Faculty of Law at University of Western Ontario and of the University of Ottawa, Chair, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance
Ron Buliung
University of Toronto, Distinguished Professor, Geographies of Disability and Ableism, Department of Geography, Geomatics & Environment, University of Toronto Mississauga, UofT Rehabilitation Sciences Institute
SOCIAL ROBOTS IN HEALTH
Goldie Nejat
CRC in Intelligent Assistive & Collaborative Robots, Professor & Director of the Autonomous Systems & Biomechatronics Lab, University of Toronto, and Adjunct Scientist at KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute & Rotman Research Institute
Kerstin Dautenhahn
Canada 150 Research Chair in Intelligent Robotics, Director of the Social and Intelligent Robotics Research Lab (SIRRL) at University of Waterloo
Maja Mataric
Chan Soon-Shiong Chair and Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics, University of Southern California
APPLICATIONS AND RISKS OF LLMS
Helena Gómez Adorno
Professor, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Ebrahim Bagheri
Professor, University of Toronto and Co-Founder of Reviewerly
BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACES AND SOCIETY
Anna Wexler
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Mariska Vansteensel
Associate Professor, UMC Utrecht Brain Center
Connected Minds invites researchers, creators, and innovators from all disciplines to submit an abstract for our 2025 conference, taking place October 6–9, 2025. We welcome submissions that explore the dynamic relationships between people and intelligent technologies, especially those that intersect with our three key pillars:
- Society: Work that explores how technology connects with culture, community, education, policy, or the arts—from ethics and law to digital media, social systems, and Indigenous knowledge.
- Neuroscience and Behaviour: Projects focused on the human side of tech—how our brains, bodies, and behaviours shape and are shaped by our interactions with technology.
- Intelligent Technologies: Research and innovation in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, human-computer interaction, or emerging digital tools that collaborate with or respond to people.
If any aspect of your work touches on these ideas—even if it doesn’t fit neatly into one category—we encourage you to submit. This conference is a space for interdisciplinary thinking, unexpected connections, and bold ideas.
For more details on the Connected Minds pillars, visit our website.
Please Note: Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis. The Connected Minds Conference Team will aim to respond to all submissions within three weeks.
Looking to explore Toronto? Within a 10-minute walk of Toronto's subway line with direct access to York University, these hotels will allow you to easily explore Toronto’s downtown attractions, restaurants, and cultural sites. Note that these hotels are an approximately 30-minute subway ride away.
Prefer accommodations closer to the venue? These hotels are conveniently located in Vaughan, within close proximity to York University.
CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS
SESSION CO-CHAIRS: SOCIAL MEDIA, NEURAL DEVELOPMENT, AND MENTAL HEALTH
SESSION CO-CHAIRS: TECHNOLOGIES FOR REMOTE HEALTH AND EMBODIMENT
SESSION CO-CHAIRS: MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
SESSION CO-CHAIRS: SOCIAL ROBOTS IN HEALTH
SESSION CO-CHAIRS: APPLICATIONS AND RISKS OF LLMS
SESSION CO-CHAIRS: BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACES AND SOCIETY
