West Coast Neuroecon 2026
Annual Symposium
May 1, 2026 | Luskin Conference Center, UCLA
The West Coast Neuroeconomics Symposium brings together decision scientists from across the West Coast and beyond. Join us for a day of cutting-edge research, collaboration, and discussion on the mechanisms underlying decision-making.
Keynote Speaker
Prof. Christian Ruff, PhD
University of Zurich | Professor of Neuroeconomics and Decision Neuroscience
Prof. Ruff’s research focuses on human motivation, decision-making, and learning, combining behavioral experiments and computational modeling with neuroimaging and brain stimulation.
Featured Speakers
Ming Hsu
Nina Rouhani
Ian Ballard
Kate Wassum
Leor Hackel
Uma R. Karmarkar
Cary Frydman
John A. Clithero
Dan Schley
Program — Friday, May 1
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 10:00 - 10:25 AM | Ming Hsu — Open-ended decision making: Because life is not a multiple choice test |
| 10:25 - 10:50 AM | Nina Rouhani — Features and dynamics of social inference in real-world interactions |
| 10:50 - 11:15 AM | Ian Ballard — Cue-Driven Disruption of Goal-Directed Behavior by Social Media Habits |
| 11:15 - 11:45 AM | Coffee Break |
| 11:45 - 12:10 PM | Kate Wassum — Brain mechanisms of reward learning and decision making |
| 12:10 - 12:35 PM | Leor Hackel — Social concepts simplify complex reward learning |
| 12:35 - 1:35 PM | Lunch |
| 1:35 - 2:20 PM | Plenary: Christian Ruff — Neurocomputational Underpinnings of Altered Mentalization in Autism |
| 2:20 - 2:45 PM | Uma R. Karmarkar — Now vs later |
| 2:45 - 3:10 PM | Cary Frydman — Cognitive imprecision and strategic interactions |
| 3:10 - 3:40 PM | Coffee Break |
| 3:40 - 4:05 PM | John A. Clithero — Knowledge Diffusion of Psychology and Neuroscience in Consumer Research |
| 4:05 - 4:30 PM | Dan Schley — Perceiving Before Choosing: A Domain-General Model of Bounded Rationality |
| 4:30 - 4:45 PM | Closing Remarks |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner (invitation only) |
Venue
Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center
425 Westwood Plaza, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Getting There: Fly into LAX (13 miles) or Burbank (20 miles). UCLA is accessible via I-405 (exit Wilshire or Sunset Blvd).
Accommodations: The Luskin Conference Center has 254 guest rooms on-site. Additional hotels available in Westwood Village and Santa Monica.
Registration
Registration is free. Register here
Organizers
Sponsors
The Luskin Lecture for Thought Leadership
Generously supported by Meyer and Renee Luskin. Learn more
Questions? Contact us at wcneuroecon@gmail.com