M-SPARC Workshop | M-SPARC Workshop

About M-SPARC Workshop

Multimodal Signal Processing for Attentional Resource Cognition (M-SPARC) investigates how Modeling Eye, Brain, Speech, and Behavioral Signals for Cognitive Resource Allocation can deepen our understanding of attentional resource management in human cognition. Attention serves as the brain’s central mechanism for distributing limited cognitive resources across competing information streams. By integrating multimodal data—including brain activity (EEG/fMRI), eye movements, pupilometry, speech, and behavior—M-SPARC aims to develop comprehensive, real-time models of how cognitive resources are allocated and modulated.

The workshop convenes signal processing experts, cognitive neuroscientists, and HCI researchers to explore how multimodal signals can be measured and predicted, how modalities interact in shaping attention, and how targeted interventions might optimize cognitive resource distribution.

Examples of Topics

🧠

Cognitive Modeling

Advanced algorithms for detecting attentional states and predicting cognitive load from multimodal physiological signals.

👁️

Eye-Tracking Integration

Innovative use of eye-tracking "in the wild" to support acoustic processing and reveal cognitive states in real-time.

🎯

Adaptive Systems

Building intelligent systems that respond dynamically to users' cognitive capacity and attention allocation patterns.

🏥

Clinical Applications

Translating attention monitoring technologies for ADHD assessment, cognitive rehabilitation, and mental health support.

Workshop Schedule

May 4, 2026 - Full Day Program

Morning Schedule Overview (Gantt Chart)

Time

09:00-09:15

09:15-09:30

09:30-09:45

9:45-10:00

10:00-10:15

10:15-10:30

10:30-10:45

10:45-11:00

11:00-11:15

11:15-11:30

11:30-11:45

11:45-12:00

12:00-12:15

Block 1
(Morning)

Opening & Welcome

Keynote 1
Matthew H. Davis

1^st round
Paper Presentation

Break

Coffee Break

Block 2
(Morning)

Keynote 2
Diako Mardanbegi

2^nd round Paper Presentation

Afternoon Schedule Overview (Gantt Chart)

Time

14:30-14:45

14:45-15:00

15:00-15:15

15:15-15:30

15:30-15:45

15:45-16:00

16:00-16:15

16:15-16:30

16:30-16:45

16:45-17:00

17:00-17:15

17:15-17:30

17:30-17:45

Block 1
(Afternoon)

Keynote 3
Pawel Kasperowski

3^rd round
Paper Presentation

Break

Coffee Break

Block 2
(Afternoon)

Panel Discussion

Poster Presentation

Closing

Detailed Schedule

Time	Session	Details
9:00 - 9:15	Opening & Welcome	Workshop introduction and objectives
9:15 - 10:00	Keynote 1	Matthew H. Davis (MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge) "Neural measures of speech understanding in typical and impaired individuals"
10:00 - 10:30	Paper Presentations 1	2 papers × 15 minutes (12 min presentation + 3 min Q&A)
10:30 - 11:00	Coffee Break	Networking and demonstrations
11:00 - 11:45	Keynote 2	Diako Mardanbegi (AUB & Google) "Semantic Gaze Understanding: LLMs Transform Eye Tracking"
11:45 - 12:15	Paper Presentations 2	2 papers × 15 minutes
12:30 - 14:30	Lunch Break	Lunch and informal discussions
14:30 - 15:15	Keynote 3	Pawel Kasprowski (Silesian University) "Chaos Detection in Biological Signals"
15:15 - 16:00	Paper Presentations 3	3 papers × 15 minutes
16:00 - 16:30	Coffee Break	Networking and poster viewing
16:30 - 17:30	Panel Discussion	Industry and academic experts discuss future of attention-aware computing
17:30 - 18:00	Poster Session & Closing	Best paper awards and future directions

Key Topics

Multimodal Signatures of Attention

Signal processing techniques for identifying attention distribution across modalities, including neural oscillations, eye movements, speech prosody, and behavioral markers.

Real-Time Cognitive Monitoring

Algorithms for continuous assessment of cognitive resources, including low-latency processing, adaptive filtering, and personalized baselines for individual differences.

Attention-Aware Applications

Innovative systems including hearing aids with EEG/eye-tracking, adaptive AR/VR interfaces, and educational platforms optimized for sustained attention.

Attention Modulation & Enhancement

Interventions for optimizing cognitive resources through neurofeedback, optimal timing of information delivery, and closed-loop attention management systems.

Clinical & Educational Applications

Tools for ADHD assessment, attention-aware learning systems, cognitive load balancing in high-stakes professions, and workplace burnout prevention.

Ethical Considerations

Guidelines for cognitive enhancement technologies, privacy in attention monitoring, and responsible development of attention-modulating systems.

Keynote Speakers

Matthew H. Davis

MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge

'Adaptive processing of spoken language'

"Neural measures of speech understanding in typical and impaired individuals"

Diako Mardanbegi

AUB & Google Research

Eye-tracking and LLM Integration

"Semantic Gaze Understanding: How LLMs Transform Eye Tracking Signal Processing"

Pawel Kasprowski

Silesian University of Technology

Biomedical Signal Processing

"Chaos Detection in Biological Signals with Focus on Recent State-of-the-art Studies"

Workshop Organizers

Per Bækgaard

Associate Professor

DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark

Human-Centered AI, Eye Tracking, Cognitive Neuroscience

Sofie Beier

Professor

Royal Danish Academy

Centre for Visibility Design, Legibility Research

Ashkan Tashk

Postdoc Researcher