Joe Barnby
@joebarnby.com
snr. lecturer/assoc. prof. @ KCL & CAIML
PI @ socrlab.net
founder @ Hypatia
FENS-Kavli scholar
cognition & mental health in biological π§ and artificial π€ intelligence
Between London π¬π§ & Perth/Freo π¦πΊ
PI @ socrlab.net
founder @ Hypatia
FENS-Kavli scholar
cognition & mental health in biological π§ and artificial π€ intelligence
Between London π¬π§ & Perth/Freo π¦πΊ
New job alert π« Weβre hiring a 3-year postdoc for the NEPTUNE project to study the causal mechanisms of paranoia and social learning.
Work with us on experimental psychopharmacology (THC), social cognition, and psychosis π§βπ¬
Apply here: lnkd.in/gQqnNvjR](my.corehr.com/pls/kclrecru...)
Please RT :)
Work with us on experimental psychopharmacology (THC), social cognition, and psychosis π§βπ¬
Apply here: lnkd.in/gQqnNvjR](my.corehr.com/pls/kclrecru...)
Please RT :)
December 18, 2025 at 8:27 AM
New job alert π« Weβre hiring a 3-year postdoc for the NEPTUNE project to study the causal mechanisms of paranoia and social learning.
Work with us on experimental psychopharmacology (THC), social cognition, and psychosis π§βπ¬
Apply here: lnkd.in/gQqnNvjR](my.corehr.com/pls/kclrecru...)
Please RT :)
Work with us on experimental psychopharmacology (THC), social cognition, and psychosis π§βπ¬
Apply here: lnkd.in/gQqnNvjR](my.corehr.com/pls/kclrecru...)
Please RT :)
Full details for the 2026 ToM4AI Workshop @aaai.org are now live (ToM4AI.com)
100+ registrations, 40 papers, 3 keynotes, & a hackathon, spanning cog sci, philosophy, psychiatry, computer science, and robotics
@nitalon.bsky.social @stefansarkadi.bsky.social @reuth-mirsky.bsky.social
100+ registrations, 40 papers, 3 keynotes, & a hackathon, spanning cog sci, philosophy, psychiatry, computer science, and robotics
@nitalon.bsky.social @stefansarkadi.bsky.social @reuth-mirsky.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Full details for the 2026 ToM4AI Workshop @aaai.org are now live (ToM4AI.com)
100+ registrations, 40 papers, 3 keynotes, & a hackathon, spanning cog sci, philosophy, psychiatry, computer science, and robotics
@nitalon.bsky.social @stefansarkadi.bsky.social @reuth-mirsky.bsky.social
100+ registrations, 40 papers, 3 keynotes, & a hackathon, spanning cog sci, philosophy, psychiatry, computer science, and robotics
@nitalon.bsky.social @stefansarkadi.bsky.social @reuth-mirsky.bsky.social
Would be fun to chat about whether your data also conforms to our model of self-other generalisation... its in the correct format (and uses a fehr-schmidt function as in ours) so it would be quite straght forward to fit!
December 16, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Would be fun to chat about whether your data also conforms to our model of self-other generalisation... its in the correct format (and uses a fehr-schmidt function as in ours) so it would be quite straght forward to fit!
The utility function captures the latent/type of partner within a phase, but I meant between phases. The way we formulate it is to say that representations of self and other have some degree of porosity, so the latents that define each transfer a bit between phases.
December 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
The utility function captures the latent/type of partner within a phase, but I meant between phases. The way we formulate it is to say that representations of self and other have some degree of porosity, so the latents that define each transfer a bit between phases.
We found a very similar thing! you mention that an RL generalisation model didnβt quite fit vs the utility model, but did you try the utility model with a generalisation component? Would be keen to see if your data fitted our model well
elifesciences.org/articles/104...
elifesciences.org/articles/104...
elifesciences.org
December 13, 2025 at 5:14 AM
We found a very similar thing! you mention that an RL generalisation model didnβt quite fit vs the utility model, but did you try the utility model with a generalisation component? Would be keen to see if your data fitted our model well
elifesciences.org/articles/104...
elifesciences.org/articles/104...
Yes I think this complexity is certainly front-and-centre in our appraisal of the results, although we do see some (tentative) evidence of symptom specificity. We're digging into this further.
December 10, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Yes I think this complexity is certainly front-and-centre in our appraisal of the results, although we do see some (tentative) evidence of symptom specificity. We're digging into this further.
Yes that would be really satisfying, both if this model could distinguish therapies or track reported improvement in interpersonal satisfaction - I suspect the story will be far more complex and against my best predictions, but one can hope :)
December 9, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Yes that would be really satisfying, both if this model could distinguish therapies or track reported improvement in interpersonal satisfaction - I suspect the story will be far more complex and against my best predictions, but one can hope :)
My prediction would be that, like our Elife paper, raw predictive accuracy would not change, but the process to get there would be more integrated (with successful therapy, folks would become less model M4 and more model M1, as defined in the paper) - we're working on testing this π
December 9, 2025 at 12:29 AM
My prediction would be that, like our Elife paper, raw predictive accuracy would not change, but the process to get there would be more integrated (with successful therapy, folks would become less model M4 and more model M1, as defined in the paper) - we're working on testing this π
Yes thats true. Concerning Autism and I defer to @leoschilbach.bsky.social for a more detail, but my analysis is that neurotype communication is successful within-group, and only in autistic/non-austistic pairs do you see mentalising discrepancies (see journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1...)
December 9, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Yes thats true. Concerning Autism and I defer to @leoschilbach.bsky.social for a more detail, but my analysis is that neurotype communication is successful within-group, and only in autistic/non-austistic pairs do you see mentalising discrepancies (see journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1...)
Thanks for sharing! Of interest, we note that those with a diag. of BPD were no less accurate at predicting the future actions of others; they just used a different method to get there. We argue that this difference might also raise the risk of instability in interpersonal bonds.
December 8, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Thanks for sharing! Of interest, we note that those with a diag. of BPD were no less accurate at predicting the future actions of others; they just used a different method to get there. We argue that this difference might also raise the risk of instability in interpersonal bonds.
Reposted by Joe Barnby
Curious why we sometimes see minds where there are none? π§ Join us to uncover the foundations of attributed agency.
Fully funded PhD for next year as part of DRIVE-Health, working with me, Adam Hampshire & @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
Deadline: 12/1/26
Reach out for an informal chat!
Fully funded PhD for next year as part of DRIVE-Health, working with me, Adam Hampshire & @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
Deadline: 12/1/26
Reach out for an informal chat!
π¨Apply now for our #fullyfundedPhDs in #HealthDataScience at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Calling all #healthdatascientists, #computerscientists, #engineers, and #AI 100+ projects available β¬οΈ Deadline 12 January 2026. @kingsioppn.bsky.social @kingslsm.bsky.social @kingshealth.bsky.social
Projects - Divi 5
showcase.drive-health.org.uk
December 2, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Curious why we sometimes see minds where there are none? π§ Join us to uncover the foundations of attributed agency.
Fully funded PhD for next year as part of DRIVE-Health, working with me, Adam Hampshire & @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
Deadline: 12/1/26
Reach out for an informal chat!
Fully funded PhD for next year as part of DRIVE-Health, working with me, Adam Hampshire & @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
Deadline: 12/1/26
Reach out for an informal chat!
Curious why we sometimes see minds where there are none? π§ Join us to uncover the foundations of attributed agency.
Fully funded PhD for next year as part of DRIVE-Health, working with me, Adam Hampshire & @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
Deadline: 12/1/26
Reach out for an informal chat!
Fully funded PhD for next year as part of DRIVE-Health, working with me, Adam Hampshire & @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
Deadline: 12/1/26
Reach out for an informal chat!
π¨Apply now for our #fullyfundedPhDs in #HealthDataScience at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Calling all #healthdatascientists, #computerscientists, #engineers, and #AI 100+ projects available β¬οΈ Deadline 12 January 2026. @kingsioppn.bsky.social @kingslsm.bsky.social @kingshealth.bsky.social
Projects - Divi 5
showcase.drive-health.org.uk
December 2, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Curious why we sometimes see minds where there are none? π§ Join us to uncover the foundations of attributed agency.
Fully funded PhD for next year as part of DRIVE-Health, working with me, Adam Hampshire & @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
Deadline: 12/1/26
Reach out for an informal chat!
Fully funded PhD for next year as part of DRIVE-Health, working with me, Adam Hampshire & @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
Deadline: 12/1/26
Reach out for an informal chat!
Reposted by Joe Barnby
π In the first interview for Inside Discovery, @joebarnby.com discusses how deeply human questions about our social world can be explored through elegant, technical science.
Read the full conversation: buff.ly/CKx4k5c
Read the full conversation: buff.ly/CKx4k5c
November 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
π In the first interview for Inside Discovery, @joebarnby.com discusses how deeply human questions about our social world can be explored through elegant, technical science.
Read the full conversation: buff.ly/CKx4k5c
Read the full conversation: buff.ly/CKx4k5c
Excited to receive 57 paper submissions for our 2026 workshop π Stoked about the interest in this space!
We also have 4 free student regos to award; tough choices ahead with many worthy authors
@reuth-mirsky.bsky.social @nitalon.bsky.social @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
tom4ai.github.io
We also have 4 free student regos to award; tough choices ahead with many worthy authors
@reuth-mirsky.bsky.social @nitalon.bsky.social @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
tom4ai.github.io
ToM4AI initiative
tom4ai.github.io
November 7, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Excited to receive 57 paper submissions for our 2026 workshop π Stoked about the interest in this space!
We also have 4 free student regos to award; tough choices ahead with many worthy authors
@reuth-mirsky.bsky.social @nitalon.bsky.social @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
tom4ai.github.io
We also have 4 free student regos to award; tough choices ahead with many worthy authors
@reuth-mirsky.bsky.social @nitalon.bsky.social @stefansarkadi.bsky.social
tom4ai.github.io
Reposted by Joe Barnby
I am pleased to announce that @davidschultner.bsky.social will be our next guest as part of the SoCR Lab's Invited Talk Series. Dr. Schultner will present recent work that offers evidence for a parsimonious and mechanistic explanation of human social learning strategies via reward learning!
November 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I am pleased to announce that @davidschultner.bsky.social will be our next guest as part of the SoCR Lab's Invited Talk Series. Dr. Schultner will present recent work that offers evidence for a parsimonious and mechanistic explanation of human social learning strategies via reward learning!
Just one more week to get submissions in for this!
Join us in Singapore to discuss the intersection of cog sci, comp. sci, psychiatry, and philosophy to understand Theory of Mind π§
DM me for informal qs π
@stefansarkadi.bsky.social @nitalon.bsky.social @reuth-mirsky.bsky.social
Join us in Singapore to discuss the intersection of cog sci, comp. sci, psychiatry, and philosophy to understand Theory of Mind π§
DM me for informal qs π
@stefansarkadi.bsky.social @nitalon.bsky.social @reuth-mirsky.bsky.social
π€After a fantastic debut in 2025, the Theory of Mind in AI workshop at AAAI is back for 2026!
We invite submissions on ToM in artificial & biological intelligenceβacross comp sci, cog sci, comp psych, psychiatry & more.
CFP π tom4ai.github.io/AAAI2026/cal...
2025 procs π arxiv.org/abs/2505.03770
We invite submissions on ToM in artificial & biological intelligenceβacross comp sci, cog sci, comp psych, psychiatry & more.
CFP π tom4ai.github.io/AAAI2026/cal...
2025 procs π arxiv.org/abs/2505.03770
Call for Papers - ToM4AI Workshop@AAAI 2026
tom4ai.github.io
October 16, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Just one more week to get submissions in for this!
Join us in Singapore to discuss the intersection of cog sci, comp. sci, psychiatry, and philosophy to understand Theory of Mind π§
DM me for informal qs π
@stefansarkadi.bsky.social @nitalon.bsky.social @reuth-mirsky.bsky.social
Join us in Singapore to discuss the intersection of cog sci, comp. sci, psychiatry, and philosophy to understand Theory of Mind π§
DM me for informal qs π
@stefansarkadi.bsky.social @nitalon.bsky.social @reuth-mirsky.bsky.social
Reposted by Joe Barnby
1/6 Excited to see our NMH paper featured here for #WorldMentalHealthDay! rdcu.be/dYl7T
Many psychiatric symptoms are inherently social. @xiaosigu.bsky.social, @joebarnby.com, & I call for cognitive models that reflect processes most relevant to our questions, esp. for those about social symptomsπ§΅
Many psychiatric symptoms are inherently social. @xiaosigu.bsky.social, @joebarnby.com, & I call for cognitive models that reflect processes most relevant to our questions, esp. for those about social symptomsπ§΅
π¨To celebrate #WorldMentalHealthDay, our October issue includes a Focus that examines the advances in computational psychiatry and the challenges of developing computational models to address mental health disorders. #mentalhealthresearch #Psychiatry
β‘οΈ nature.com/collections/...
π§΅(1/8)
β‘οΈ nature.com/collections/...
π§΅(1/8)
October 13, 2025 at 9:09 PM
1/6 Excited to see our NMH paper featured here for #WorldMentalHealthDay! rdcu.be/dYl7T
Many psychiatric symptoms are inherently social. @xiaosigu.bsky.social, @joebarnby.com, & I call for cognitive models that reflect processes most relevant to our questions, esp. for those about social symptomsπ§΅
Many psychiatric symptoms are inherently social. @xiaosigu.bsky.social, @joebarnby.com, & I call for cognitive models that reflect processes most relevant to our questions, esp. for those about social symptomsπ§΅
Just one day left to apply to this role! β±οΈ
Come work with us developing computational models to pick apart the mechanisms underlying social cognition and threat using THC π neuroimaging π§ and interactive behavioural paradigms π₯
Apply here -> lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
Come work with us developing computational models to pick apart the mechanisms underlying social cognition and threat using THC π neuroimaging π§ and interactive behavioural paradigms π₯
Apply here -> lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
π§ We're hiring a computational postdoc!
3+ years with me & @mitulamehta.bsky.social on @wellcometrust.bsky.social funded social cognition/paranoia research at the IoPPN.
Lead & develop computational work, collaborate with experimentalists on psychosis/THC data.
DM for details! lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
3+ years with me & @mitulamehta.bsky.social on @wellcometrust.bsky.social funded social cognition/paranoia research at the IoPPN.
Lead & develop computational work, collaborate with experimentalists on psychosis/THC data.
DM for details! lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
September 30, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Just one day left to apply to this role! β±οΈ
Come work with us developing computational models to pick apart the mechanisms underlying social cognition and threat using THC π neuroimaging π§ and interactive behavioural paradigms π₯
Apply here -> lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
Come work with us developing computational models to pick apart the mechanisms underlying social cognition and threat using THC π neuroimaging π§ and interactive behavioural paradigms π₯
Apply here -> lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
Reposted by Joe Barnby
The #FKNE Leadership Training Course for the Starting PI is open! Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your abilities and learn to tackle challenging moments as an early group leader! Application deadline: 15 Oct. 2025
fenskavlinetwork.org/fkne-leaders...
@fens.org
fenskavlinetwork.org/fkne-leaders...
@fens.org
September 18, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The #FKNE Leadership Training Course for the Starting PI is open! Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your abilities and learn to tackle challenging moments as an early group leader! Application deadline: 15 Oct. 2025
fenskavlinetwork.org/fkne-leaders...
@fens.org
fenskavlinetwork.org/fkne-leaders...
@fens.org
Reposted by Joe Barnby
Next week, we have the distinct pleasure of (e-)hosting the fantastic @hayleydorfman.bsky.social at the SoCR Lab's Invited Talk Series. Dr Dorfman will presenting some of her recent work on agency-modulated reinforcement learning π§΅π
September 11, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Next week, we have the distinct pleasure of (e-)hosting the fantastic @hayleydorfman.bsky.social at the SoCR Lab's Invited Talk Series. Dr Dorfman will presenting some of her recent work on agency-modulated reinforcement learning π§΅π
π€After a fantastic debut in 2025, the Theory of Mind in AI workshop at AAAI is back for 2026!
We invite submissions on ToM in artificial & biological intelligenceβacross comp sci, cog sci, comp psych, psychiatry & more.
CFP π tom4ai.github.io/AAAI2026/cal...
2025 procs π arxiv.org/abs/2505.03770
We invite submissions on ToM in artificial & biological intelligenceβacross comp sci, cog sci, comp psych, psychiatry & more.
CFP π tom4ai.github.io/AAAI2026/cal...
2025 procs π arxiv.org/abs/2505.03770
Call for Papers - ToM4AI Workshop@AAAI 2026
tom4ai.github.io
September 10, 2025 at 11:35 AM
π€After a fantastic debut in 2025, the Theory of Mind in AI workshop at AAAI is back for 2026!
We invite submissions on ToM in artificial & biological intelligenceβacross comp sci, cog sci, comp psych, psychiatry & more.
CFP π tom4ai.github.io/AAAI2026/cal...
2025 procs π arxiv.org/abs/2505.03770
We invite submissions on ToM in artificial & biological intelligenceβacross comp sci, cog sci, comp psych, psychiatry & more.
CFP π tom4ai.github.io/AAAI2026/cal...
2025 procs π arxiv.org/abs/2505.03770
π Our letter of reply to 'pseudosocial' cognition is now out in @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Led by the talented @srazavi.bsky.social + written with @vaughanbell.bsky.social, Peter Dayan, @nicholaraihani.bsky.social, Michael Moutoussis
#NeuroPsychSky
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Led by the talented @srazavi.bsky.social + written with @vaughanbell.bsky.social, Peter Dayan, @nicholaraihani.bsky.social, Michael Moutoussis
#NeuroPsychSky
September 5, 2025 at 7:16 AM
π Our letter of reply to 'pseudosocial' cognition is now out in @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Led by the talented @srazavi.bsky.social + written with @vaughanbell.bsky.social, Peter Dayan, @nicholaraihani.bsky.social, Michael Moutoussis
#NeuroPsychSky
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Led by the talented @srazavi.bsky.social + written with @vaughanbell.bsky.social, Peter Dayan, @nicholaraihani.bsky.social, Michael Moutoussis
#NeuroPsychSky
Closing date: 30/09/2025
Application link: lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
Application link: lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
September 5, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Closing date: 30/09/2025
Application link: lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
Application link: lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
π§ We're hiring a computational postdoc!
3+ years with me & @mitulamehta.bsky.social on @wellcometrust.bsky.social funded social cognition/paranoia research at the IoPPN.
Lead & develop computational work, collaborate with experimentalists on psychosis/THC data.
DM for details! lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
3+ years with me & @mitulamehta.bsky.social on @wellcometrust.bsky.social funded social cognition/paranoia research at the IoPPN.
Lead & develop computational work, collaborate with experimentalists on psychosis/THC data.
DM for details! lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
September 3, 2025 at 7:13 AM
π§ We're hiring a computational postdoc!
3+ years with me & @mitulamehta.bsky.social on @wellcometrust.bsky.social funded social cognition/paranoia research at the IoPPN.
Lead & develop computational work, collaborate with experimentalists on psychosis/THC data.
DM for details! lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5
3+ years with me & @mitulamehta.bsky.social on @wellcometrust.bsky.social funded social cognition/paranoia research at the IoPPN.
Lead & develop computational work, collaborate with experimentalists on psychosis/THC data.
DM for details! lnkd.in/eCMy9Jf5