News
Open your mind! A series of events to celebrate European Month of the Brain, May 2013.
Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:43:00 BST
The University of Portsmouth Ageing Network is hosting a series of free events throughout the month of May, as part of the European Month of the Brain. We will be exploring brain research from many different perspectives. Find out what is going on at the University of Portsmouth and beyond, through our short talks, lab tour, panel debate, and information displays. We will be keeping your minds fuelled throughout with plenty of refreshments (including cream teas!), and we welcome you to get involved in the discussion! Find out about projects in progress and see the brain in ways you have never seen it before!
Spaces are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment.
Timetable of events:
8th May, 2pm – 4pm. The world in which brains function (special focus: dementia).
This is a series of short talks with a special focus on dementia, taking place over afternoon tea. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain. Symptoms can include memory loss, difficulties with thinking, reasoning or language, and sometimes changes in mood or behaviour. Dementia affects everyone differently and is not a natural part of ageing. In this series of short talks we will cover ongoing projects exploring how the environments in which we live can make a difference to the lives of those affected by dementia. We will look at communities, hospitals, and homes, and highlight ways you might want to get involved to make a difference. Talks will cover:
- Living with dementia in the community (Ms. Carol Elliott, Alzheimer’s Society);
- Hospital wards for people living with dementia (Dr. Julie Udell, School of Health Sciences & Social Work);
- Ageing in place: the home environment for carers of people with dementia (Ms. Dia Soilemezi, School of Health Sciences & Social Work).
Click here to book tickets.
14th May, 3pm – 5pm. Bridging the gap: brain meets world.
This is a series of short talks, taking place over afternoon tea. In this session we will explore how the brain interprets the world (exploring the phenomenon of optical illusions), how the world has interpreted the brain (bridging art and science), and how the brain has evolved over time to adapt to the world around us. Talks will cover:
- Exhibiting the brain (Dr. Marius Kwint, School of Art, Design, & Media);
- The evolution of the human brain (Dr. Bridget Waller, Department of Psychology);
- How the brain interprets the world (Dr. James Ost, Department of Psychology).
Click here to book tickets.
16th May, 10am – 12 noon. Tour of the Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences Laboratory.
This is a guided walking tour of the state-of-the-art facilities, which the University scientists use to research the brain. See the microscopes that scientists use to study live cells to single molecules, including a fluorescent microscope used for maximum image quality. We will be touring two floors of research laboratories (there are lifts), which are usually restricted access. The tour will last between 1 - 1.5 hours, and we will round it all off with a sit down and some refreshments. Spaces are limited.
Click here to book tickets.
24th May, 2pm – 4pm. Inside the world of the brain.
This is a series of short talks, taking place over afternoon tea. In this session we will look deep into the inner workings of the human brain, to explore what happens when things go wrong, and what happens as a natural part of getting older. Talks will cover:
- The importance of the blood-brain barrier (Prof. Darek Gorecki);
- What’s rugby got to do with brain cancer? (Prof. Geoff Pilkington);
- The story of the ageing brain (Prof. Arthur Butt).
Click here to book tickets.
29th May, 3pm – 5pm. Panel Debate: “What’s the point of brain research?”
This is a panel debate held over afternoon tea. We will have a panel consisting of scientists from different fields of study, debating the point of brain research. The debate will be chaired by Dr. Marius Kwint from the School of Art, Design, Media, and curator of the hugely popular Wellcome Collection exhibition on “Brains: The mind as matter”.
Click here to book tickets.