Over the course of 17 days, the festival will feature some of the world’s leading neuroscientists and mental health experts, presenting their latest research, from emerging insights into brain health to the rising prevalence of mental health conditions. These discussions will provide valuable perspectives on the scientific advancements shaping the future of mental health care in a time of increasing public interest and concern.
The Cambridge Festival kicks off on 19 March with Brain Boost: Healthy Habits for a Happier Life, a talk by Professor Barbara J Sahakian and Dr Christelle Langley, renowned authors of Brain Boost: Healthy Habits for a Happier Life. Professor Sahakian and Dr Langley are both affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge. In their talk, they will focus on how healthy lifestyle habits—exercise, nutrition, social connections, and acts of kindness—can enhance brain health, cognition, and emotional wellbeing. Discover science-backed strategies to sharpen the mind, reduce stress, and foster resilience.
Earlier that day, Professor Jane Aspell will lead a thought-provoking discussion on My Self and My Brain: The Neuroscience of Self-Consciousness. Professor Aspell, a leading researcher in the field of cognitive neuroscience, will delve into the biological foundations of self-consciousness, arguing that our concept of "self" is rooted in the brain’s model of the body. Aspell will also explore how disturbances in the brain-body connection can lead to phenomena like out-of-body experiences and how virtual reality is helping researchers better understand the self.
For those eager to dive deeper into cognitive science, Inside the Mind: Exploring the Human Brain, also on 19 March, offers an immersive experience. The MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (MRC CBU), a world-leading research centre, will host an evening filled with interactive experiments, demos, and short tours of their state-of-the-art MEG and MRI facilities. Participants will have the opportunity to test their memory, explore hearing demos, and learn more about the cutting-edge research on memory, attention, language, and emotion. From 7:30 pm, expert scientists will present short talks on their latest findings, providing valuable insights into the brain's workings.
On 22 March, James Piercy, a speaker and survivor of a brain injury, will share his personal journey of recovery in the talk What's Going On in His Head. James will reflect on his experiences following his brain injury, the treatment he received in Cambridge, and provide a unique perspective on what happens inside the brain after such a life-altering injury.
A fascinating panel discussion on 27 March, Consciousness at the Edge will explore the mysteries of consciousness, particularly during sleep, infancy, and following brain injury. The panel will feature an interdisciplinary group of experts:
- Topun Austin, Consultant Neonatologist in Cambridge, whose research focuses on brain development and injury in newborns.
- Virginia Newcombe, an Intensive Care Medicine and Emergency Physician, interested in imaging as a biomarker for traumatic brain injury.
- Tristan Bekinschtein, Professor of Consciousness and Cognition at the Department of Psychology, specialising in non-classic approaches to studying consciousness.
- Stephanie Brown, Senior Research Associate in the Department of Psychiatry, studying degenerative brain changes in people with Down’s syndrome.
- Tom McClelland, Teaching Associate in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, exploring the intersection of philosophy, cognitive science, and ethics.
The discussion will tackle questions such as the emergence of consciousness and how we can understand it through states like sleep and brain injury.
Join the William Templeton Foundation for Young People’s Mental Health (YPMH) for a weekend dedicated to supporting the mental health of young people on 29 & 30 March. The event, How to Support Your Mental Health – It's Not All in the Mind, will offer a range of workshops, interactive activities, and expert talks on improving mental wellbeing. Highlights include a VR mindfulness experience, a live podcast recording, and cutting-edge research on depression. The event will feature experts from the foundation who specialise in the links between social, biological, and psychological factors in mental health.
On 1 April, Dr Leor Zmigrod, a leading expert in political neuroscience, will unpack the cognitive, emotional, and neurobiological factors that make people more susceptible to extreme ideologies in The Ideological Brain: Unpacking the Science of Vulnerable Minds. Based on her book, The Ideological Brain, Dr Zmigrod will explore the mechanisms behind ideological rigidity and offer insights into how we can maintain an open mind in the face of extremism.
Dr Sumru Bayin will present groundbreaking research on brain regeneration in Hidden Little Brain on 2 April. Dr Bayin, from the Gurdon Institute, will discuss how the cerebellum, a key region in brain development, plays a critical role in movement and social behaviour. Her research explores how this region’s regenerative potential diminishes with age and why it holds promise for future regenerative therapies.
On the same day, the festival will feature All in Her Mind: Women’s Mental Health, a panel discussion on women’s mental health. Dr Kate Womersley, Dr Linda Gask, and Dr Rebecca Lawrence will address the unique mental health challenges faced by women, including stigma, barriers to accessing care, and the myths surrounding women’s mental health. This important conversation will shed light on the specific issues women face and explore ways to improve mental health support for women.
These events provide an invaluable opportunity to learn more about the latest developments in neuroscience and mental health. With expert-led talks, cutting-edge research, and thought-provoking discussions, the Cambridge Festival offers a rich backdrop to explore the complexities of the brain and its impact on our wellbeing.
For more details about the Cambridge Festival and to register for these and other events, visit www.cam.ac.uk
