Brain Awareness Week to bring neuroscience to the masses

Members of the public are being invited to the University of Exeter to learn more about the marvels of the human brain as part of Brain Awareness Week.

A diverse programme of events will be running across the week (12th-18th March), which focuses on increasing public awareness of the benefits and importance of neuroscience research.

The public are invited to join in a ‘speed dating-style’ event on March 14th, which will provide members of the public the opportunity to meet experts in the field and discover, discuss and delight in diverse aspects of the brain.

A series of interactive talks on March 15th will give the public the chance to hear first-hand from world-leading brain experts about current cutting-edge neuroscience research. The event, titled “Neuroscience: Is it all in our minds?” will include contributions from award-winning researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School, and will cover topics such as the genetics of mental disorders, and the brain’s role in hunger. The event will end with a thought-provoking panel discussion, giving attendees the chance to have their questions answered by internationally acclaimed academics.

Towards the end of the week, the University of Exeter will host its annual Spring Community Day. An interactive stand will represent the neuroscience research taking place across the University, with exciting exhibits on dementia and brain models.

Soraya Meftah, organising member for Brain Awareness Week at the University of Exeter, said: “Brain Awareness Week at Exeter is shaping up to be a fantastic week, and gives us an excellent opportunity to shine a spotlight on the important brain research we do here in Exeter and across the world. It’s an area of research that’s really evolving, and could lead to better understanding, new treatments and possible cures for a range of disorders, from depression to dementia.”

Brain Awareness Week is an annual, global campaign which aims to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. The week is supported by the Dana Foundation – a private philanthropic organisation dedicated to advancing brain research and educating the public on future areas of neuroscience research. Brain Awareness Week at Exeter is being funded by the British Neuroscience Association, the largest UK professional body representing all aspects of neuroscience.

For more information about these events, please visit: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/events/baw/.

You can also follow the events on Twitter using #BAWExeter