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MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Law and Neuroscience

MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Law and Neuroscience

News

June 29, 2026

This message brings news about:

  1. Recent Neurolaw Publications
  2. Livestream: Weaver Distinguished Lecture with Dr. Judith Edersheim
  3. Student Seeking Mentorship
  4. Neuroprivacy in the News

 

  1. Recent Neurolaw Publications

 

  1. Deborah W. Denno, An Empirical Study of Malingering in Insanity Cases Across Twelve Decades, 104 N.C. Rev. 1141–83 (2026).

 

  1. Francisco Bariffi, Mind, Machine, and the Law: Reimagining Neurotechnology Governance Through Disability Rights, 13 J.L. & Biosciences 1 (2026).

 

  1. Livestream: Weaver Distinguished Lecture with Dr. Judith Edersheim

 

On Mar. 26, 2026, Dr. Judith Edersheim delivered her lecture From Nonsense to Neuroscience: Defeating Brain Myths in the Courtroom as part of the Weaver Program's Distinguished Lecture Series. This conversation focused on the ways in which certain pseudoscientific neuroscience concepts have been wrongly applied to the study of law and the manner in which these assumptions can be corrected through further study and advocacy. A full recording of the livestream can be viewed on YouTube using this link.

 

  1. Student Seeking Mentorship

 

A student in Montreal is developing an independent paper arguing that in common-law courtrooms, a speaker's credibility is judged in milliseconds — before rational or emotional appeals can be weighed — which would make ethos a neural prerequisite rather than one of Aristotle's three co-equal tools. It grows out of his own empirical work in linguistics: he is lead author of a paper on accent interference awaiting publication in the National High School Journal of Science, and is now writing a direct sequel on accent interference and discrimination in legal and workplace settings. Together these examine how a speaker's voice shapes perceived credibility before any argument is made and form the empirical backbone for the larger thesis —  Ethos as a Neural Prerequisite in Common Law. He'd value occasional feedback by email or Zoom from anyone working on either edge of this question — the neuroscience of legal persuasion, or the linguistics of credibility in the courtroom or the workforce — and is mindful of how busy the field's researchers are. Please contact him if you are interested or can provide any guidance. Contact: Kyle Hui, kylehui1101@gmail.com.

 

 

  1. Neuroprivacy in the News

 

As neurotechnology becomes more widespread, lawmakers are increasingly focused on protecting neural data, which can reveal aspects of a person's thoughts, emotions, and cognitive processes. This article examines the growing patchwork of state neural privacy laws and highlights key compliance considerations for companies developing or using neurotechnologies. For access, please use this link.