GII Symposium 2026

Dr. Larry Sherman will explore the purpose of humor, how the brain responds to humor, and the neuroscience of creating comedy and other humorous content compared to what the brain does when engaging with improv. Using a combination of discussion, live examples, and visuals, the presentation will also explore ways that the brain engages in empathy, collaboration, and creativity when teaching, learning, practicing, performing and responding to comedy. Audiences will gain insights about how to approach the different aspects of creating comedy.

Dr. Troy Campbell will dive into the many related sciences relevant to improv—from psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science—to map how improvisation activates effects such as neural familiarity, present focus, flow, momentum, belonging, and more.