Purpose and goals of FESN

The Federation of the European Societies of Neuropsychology (FESN) was founded at its first official scientific conference in Edinburg in 2008 which represented an important step for the European Neuropsychology. The primary goal of FESN is to offer a unique opportunity for the European Neuropsychological societies to come together to discuss relevant matters in the fields of cognitive neuropsychology, clinical neuropsychology, behavioural neurology, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological rehabilitation. A further goal is to establish contact with other international organizations such as the International Neuropsychological Society (INS), the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Neuropsicología (SLAN), the South African Clinical Neuropsychological Association (SACNA) or the Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI).

Currently, the membership includes more than 20 societies. Some are smaller and some larger, but together they represent thousands of individual neuropsychologists, working either in research or clinical settings. The Federation has developed a structure with biennial scientific conferences and regular Council meetings, where the European Neuropsychological Societies meet. In addition to the scientific conferences, FESN organizes summer schools for PhD students, postdocs and young clinicians. National societies have an important role in endorsing and supporting participants in the Summer school. In addition, to increase students’ involvement within the FESN, a student liaison committee has been founded. Its mission is to create an environment that serves as a link both among students and between trainees and current professionals, and also to keep the FESN apprised of the students’/ trainees’ needs and interests within the field of neuropsychology.