Science Café > From spikes to meaning – and back?

Your brain is constantly encoding the world into electrical signals. But how does meaning emerge from this neural activity? From the firing of individual neurons to the rich patterns underlying perception, memory, and imagination, the brain processes information across many levels of organization. On March 16th, the Science Café explores what 'information' means in the brain, how it is encoded and transmitted, and how scientists - with the help of artificial intelligence - are attempting to decode these signals. By bridging biology and computation, we ask how meaning arises from neural activity and what this reveals about both natural and artificial cognition.

Two researchers offer complementary perspectives on how the brain computes. Fleur Zeldenrust (RU) explains how neural coding and network dynamics shape information processing in the brain. Michael Tangermann (RU) focuses on decoding brain signals and brain–computer interfaces, where algorithms translate neural activity into action, communication, and insight. Alongside thought-provoking science, the evening will tickle your neurons with live jazz by Trio In Dubio, featuring piano, alto saxophone, and bass.


> 8 pm | Fleur Zeldenrust (RU) and Michael Tangermann (RU)
> 7.30 pm | Trio In Dubio - live
> moderator: Ronald Kleiss
> Monday March 16 2026, 7.30/8 – 10 pm
> The Shamrock, Smetiusstraat 17 Nijmegen
> free admission (no reservation)
> in English
> https://www.sciencecafenijmegen.nl/actueel/2026march16/