March 23, 2026
René Weber, a UC Santa Barbara professor whose early experiments involving video games and brain scanners were once met with deep skepticism, has been named an inaugural Fellow of the Social and Affective Neuroscience Society (SANS). The distinction recognizes scholars who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the field of social and affective neuroscience. Weber is one of six researchers selected for the society's inaugural class, chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominees for their roles in advancing research, fostering collaboration and strengthening the visibility of the field.
However, his methodological approach was not always widely accepted. You can read more about his pioneering research and award here.