Arkady Konovalov

@arkadykonovalov.bsky.social

Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham ∙ Neuroeconomics, Decision Neuroscience, and Behavioral Economics ∙ Previously at the University of Zurich and Ohio State ∙ #StandWithUkraine

Autonomous AI agents are now built into many browsers. A naive user can take an online survey with as little as the click of a button. For behavioral research, which depends heavily on online samples, this is a real problem. (1/7)

📣 New preprint 📣 "Neural Dynamics of Belief and Value Computations Guiding Strategic Social Decisions" We use EEG and computational modeling (combining learning + DDM) to explain participants' choices, RT, and neural signals in a strategic game. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

Neural Dynamics of Belief and Value Computations Guiding Strategic Social Decisions

Successful strategic behavior must be grounded in beliefs about the opponent and her intentions. While many potential models have been proposed to explain choices in such situations, the neural mechanisms that govern learning and choice in complex strategic contexts remain poorly understood. Here, we use a computational model that combines dynamic learning and choice mechanisms to explain both choices and response times of human participants engaged in a competitive strategic task. Using electroencephalography (EEG), we identify temporally structured stages of neural processing that support an evolving value-based decision process, corresponding to first- and second-order belief updates and evidence accumulation related to the comparison of action values. Gamma-band phase coupling between central and parietal EEG signals varied with individual winning rate, suggesting that strategic behavior involves coordinated information transfer across spatially remote areas. Together, our data characterize the temporally evolving neural dynamics of belief and valuation processes that underlie strategic choice and provide neural validation for assumptions embedded in computational models of this behavior. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. European Research Council, 725355

biorxiv.org

📣 Funded PhD position (competitive, UK students only!) Reach out to me via a.konovalov@bham.ac.uk by February 20th, attaching your CV and cover letter if you are interested in applying for a PhD position to study cooperation and prosocial behavior using neuroimaging (1/2)

Interested in applying for a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship (deadline September 2026) with me in decision neuroscience and economics (social and strategic decision making, cooperation, value-based choice, fMRI, computational modeling)? (1/2)

Very sad to hear that John Kagel passed away. He was one of the towering figures of experimental and behavioral economics and a true leader in the field. I was extremely lucky to have John on my PhD committee, and I will never forget his support and unique sense of humor.

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🚨 PhD opportunity for Fall 2025 🚨 Send me your CV and cover letter by May 30th to apply to work on neural mechanisms of altruism and cooperation (fMRI, eye-tracking, computational). ONLY open to UK (home) students. Funded by @UoB_SoP Please share and RT!

The application deadline for our summer school in Computational Social Cognition is today! 👇

Jo Cutler@drjocutler.bsky.social · last yr.

⏰ Deadline Monday (28th) for @unibirmingham.bsky.social & @unileiden.bsky.social Computational Social Cognition summer school. Don't miss keynotes by Matthew Rushworth, @dianatamir.bsky.social & @davidamodio.bsky.social www.compsoccog.com ⬇️ Only text response questions in the short application:

🌟 Join us for the 2nd Birmingham-Leiden Summer School in Computational Social Cognition! Amazing line-up of keynote speakers and instructors, new topics, and only £480 with 4 nights accommodation, social events and meals included! 🌟 www.compsoccog.com

Lei Zhang | 张磊@lei-zhang.bsky.social · last yr.

🚨 SUMMER SCHOOL! Announcing the 2nd Birmingham-Leiden Summer School in Computational Social Cognition, Sep 2-5, 2025. Fantastic line-up of keynote: Matthew Rushworth, Diana Tamir @dianatamir.bsky.social, and David Amodio @davidamodio.bsky.social . 👇 Apply by 18 April (compsoccog.com) and RT!