ICASSP 2026 Full-Day Satellite Workshop









Modeling Eye, Brain, Speech, and Behavioral Signals for Cognitive Resource Allocation

📅 May 4, 2026 | Barcelona, Spain

About MSPARC Workshop

Multimodal Signal Processing for Attentional Resource Cognition (MSPARC) 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 — MSPARC 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

Time
09:00–09:15
09:15–09:30
09:30–09:45
09:45–10:00
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
12:15–12:30
Block 1
(Morning)
Opening &
Welcome
Keynote 1
Matthew H. Davis
Organizer
Presentation
Oral Paper
Present
WS-P6.4
Break
Coffee Break
Block 2
(Morning)
Keynote 2
Diako Mardanbegi
Oral Paper
Present
WS-P6.3
Interactive
Discussion
Position Paper

Afternoon Schedule Overview

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
17:45–18:00
Block 1
(Afternoon)
Keynote 3
Pawel Kasprowski
Oral Paper
Presentations
WS-P6.1
WS-P6.2
Sponsor
Presentation
Break
Coffee Break
Block 2
(Afternoon)
Panel Discussion
Conclusion of
Position Paper
Networking/Recognition
Closing Remarks

Detailed Schedule

TimeSessionDetails
9:00 - 9:15Opening & WelcomeWorkshop introduction and objectives
- The theme,
- The needs,
- Intended outcomes, &
- Ways to contribute.
9:15 - 10:00Keynote 1Matthew H. Davis (MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge)
"Multimodal measures of speech understanding in typical and impaired individuals"
10:00 - 10:15Organizer PresentationSofie Beier & Per Bækgaard — Research directions and the Reading the Reader project
10:15 - 10:30Oral Paper Presentation 11 paper × 15 minutes (12 min presentation + 3 min Q&A):
WS-P6.4: 'Incremental Feature Analysis for Reading Pattern Detection: A Systematic Evaluation of Behavioral Indicators in L2 Eye-Tracking'
10:30 - 11:00Coffee BreakNetworking and demonstrations
11:00 - 11:45Keynote 2Diako Mardanbegi (AUB & Google)
"The Quantified Mind: AI, Attention, and the Fusion of Continuous Biosignals"
11:45 - 12:00Oral Paper Presentation 21 paper × 15 minutes (12 min presentation + 3 min Q&A):
WS-P6.3: 'Quantitative Nystagmus Diagnosis Through Portable Eye Tracking and Computer Vision Analysis'
12:00 - 12:30Interactive DiscussionPosition paper brainstorming — collaborative idea generation
12:30 - 14:30Lunch BreakLunch and informal discussions
14:30 - 15:15Keynote 3Pawel Kasprowski (Silesian University of Technology)
"Chaos Detection in Biological Signals"
15:15 - 15:45Oral Paper Presentations 32 papers × 15 minutes (12 min presentation + 3 min Q&A):
WS-P6.1: 'An Explainable Attention-Based LSTM Fusion Network for Cognitive Load Prediction from Multimodal Physiological Signals'
WS-P6.2: 'A Dynamic Numerical Model for Real-Time Estimation of Latent Cognitive States Using Oculomotor Metrics'
15:45 - 16:00Sponsor PresentationSponsor presentation and technology demonstrations
16:00 - 16:30Coffee BreakNetworking and sponsor/poster viewing
16:30 - 17:00Panel DiscussionIndustry and academic experts discuss future of attention-aware computing
17:00 - 17:30Conclusion of Position PaperFinalizing the collaborative position paper drafted throughout the workshop
17:30 - 18:00ClosingSummary of outcomes, future directions, and closing remarks

Key Topics

1

Multimodal Signatures of Attention

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

2

Real-Time Cognitive Monitoring

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

3

Attention-Aware Applications

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

4

Attention Modulation & Enhancement

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

5

Clinical & Educational Applications

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

6

Ethical Considerations

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

Keynote Speakers

Matthew H. Davis
View Bio & Abstract

Matthew H. Davis

MRC Unit, University of Cambridge

Adaptive proc. of spoken language

"Multimodal measures of speech"

Read More →
Diako Mardanbegi
View Bio & Abstract

Diako Mardanbegi

AUB & Google Research

Eye-tracking and LLM Integration

"The Quantified Mind"

Read More →
Pawel Kasprowski
View Bio & Abstract

Pawel Kasprowski

Silesian University of Technology

Biomedical Signal Processing

"Chaos Detection in Biological Signals"

Read More →

Workshop Organizers

Per Bækgaard

Per Bækgaard

Associate Professor

DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark

Human-Centered AI, Eye Tracking, Cognitive Neuroscience

Website →
Sofie Beier

Sofie Beier

Professor

Royal Danish Academy

Centre for Visibility Design, Legibility Research

Website →
Ashkan Tashk

Ashkan Tashk

Postdoc Researcher

DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark

Machine Learning, Biomedical Signal Processing

Website →
C.M. Aqdus Ilyas

C.M. Aqdus Ilyas

Postdoc Researcher

DTU & Cambridge Digital Humanities

Computer Vision, Human-Robot Interaction

Website →

Call for Papers

Important Dates

  • 🔍 Review Recruitment Deadline: October 15, 2025
  • 📝 Paper Submission Deadline: October 22, 2025
  • 📧 Notification of Acceptance: December 16, 2025
  • 📄 Camera-Ready Deadline: January 7, 2026
  • 💵 Registration deadline for Accepted Papers: February 20, 2026
  • 📅 Workshop Date: May 4, 2026

Submission Guidelines

We invite original research papers addressing topics related to MSPARC. Papers should follow the ICASSP 2026 format and will be published in IEEE Xplore. Submissions should be a maximum of 4 pages + 1 page for references. Please follow the templates provided in the Paper Kit. Do not use the templates from ICASSP 2025. The CFP flyer can be downloaded here.


Your support will be invaluable in helping us make this workshop a success!

Our Sponsors

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our sponsors who make this workshop possible.