Discrimination is based on an exclusionary decision-making process in the brain that influences our every-day life and yet we are often unconscious of the biases we hold. Even if we are aware that our actions are informed by biases, its basis remained a mystery. How does the structure of our brain shape our decisions? How are unconscious biases formed in the brain? This online-lecture explores how brain simulations—computational models of neural processes—can be used as powerful tools to investigate unconscious bias and how our modes of thinking can help us with awareness of them in the academic world.

Prof. Dr. Petra Ritter will present a framework for the simulation of individual human virtual brain twins (thevirtualbrian.org). She will discuss how brain simulation helps us to understand human decision making and how this relates to unconscious bias that leads to discrimination.