Call for Papers: Special Issue on Human Neuroimaging Educational Programs and Training Resources

Human neuroimaging has transformed our understanding of the brain over the past three decades, driving advances across neuroscience, psychology, medicine, and data science. Yet as methods evolve rapidly—from MRI and fMRI to multimodal integration and AI-driven analysis—training pathways have struggled to keep pace.

Today’s neuroimaging trainees must master an unusually broad and interdisciplinary skill set spanning neuroscience, physics, engineering, statistics, computer science, ethics, and open science. At the same time, access to high-quality training resources varies widely across institutions and regions, creating uneven opportunities for the next generation of scientists and clinicians.

To address these challenges, we are pleased to announce a Special Issue on “Human Neuroimaging Educational Programs and Training Resources.”

Guest Editors:

• Jack van Horn, Ph.D (The University of Virginia)
• Ting Xu, Ph.D (Child Mind Institute)
• Ariel Rokem, Ph.D (The University of Washington)

Aim of the Special Issue

This issue seeks to document, evaluate, and advance the evolving landscape of neuroimaging education. By bringing together educators, trainees, program leaders, and infrastructure developers, the goal is to create a practical and forward-looking resource for the global community.

Topics of Interest

We welcome contributions on a wide range of topics, including:

• Innovative training programs and curriculum design
• Hands-on laboratory and computational training models
• Online, hybrid, and open educational resources
• AI and machine learning in neuroimaging education
• Cross-disciplinary training approaches
• Equity, accessibility, and global inclusion
• Training in low-resource settings
• Mentorship, career development, and workforce impact
• Ethical and societal considerations
• Infrastructure for training (data, software, cloud platforms)

Submission Types

Submissions may include:

• Original Research Articles
• Program Descriptions and Case Studies
• Methods and Resource Papers (e.g., lesson plans, tutorials)
• Reviews and Perspectives
• Policy Analyses and Best-Practice Guidelines

All contributions should emphasize practical insights, reproducibility, and transferability across institutions.

Who Should Contribute?

This special issue is intended for:  
Educators, program directors, postdoctoral coordinators, clinicians, researchers, data scientists, policy makers, and anyone involved in building or delivering neuroimaging training.

Key Date

• Manuscript Submission Deadline: August 31, 2026
• Read more about the author submission guidelines here

Editorial Vision

Beyond documenting current efforts, this special issue aims to shape the future of neuroimaging education. We strongly encourage submissions that are open, shareable, and forward-looking—including publicly accessible curricula, datasets, and tools.

For questions about scope or suitability, please contact the editorial office: journal.manager@apertureneuro.org

We look forward to your contributions toward building a more effective, inclusive, and globally connected neuroimaging training ecosystem.