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May is European Month of the Brain

I've been helping a colleague organise some events to mark the European Month of the Brain.

Amy Drahota manages the University of Portsmouth Ageing Network (UPAN) and this is a support system, bringing together a broad scope of knowledge and expertise to address the ‘Active Ageing’ agenda.

Check out the programme:


brain month banner

Ageing Network


We are 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, art exhibition, 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 (Mr Cliff Cropley, 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).

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).

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.

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).

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”.
Panel members include: Dr. Bridget Waller, Department of Psychology; Prof. Darek Gorecki, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences; Prof. Helen Fillmore, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences; Dr. Paul Morris, Department of Psychology.
Following the debate there will be a special feature from Artist in Residence, Jon Adams. Jon will be showcasing his work demonstrating how the sounds from an MRI machine can be turned into something extraordinary.
The programme is supported by


Alzheimers
NHS
dendron



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