Edge Hill University’s brain power shines at Festival of Neuroscience

The brain power of Edge Hill University’s staff and research students is shining bright as the region celebrates the latest thinking in global neuroscience.

 Edge Hill’s experts in psychology and wellbeing are collaborating with the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) and Liverpool Neuroscience Group for the BNA’s International Festival of Neuroscience 2025, which is being held in Liverpool this year.

 Every two years, the BNA co-ordinates a scientific conference, this year at ACC Liverpool, and a public festival of neuroscience, taking place in and around the city, to celebrate and share innovations in the science of the brain and nervous system.

 Dr Dorothy Tse, a neuroscientist and cognitive psychologist at Edge Hill and co-chair for the BNA2025 programme organising committee, said: “It’s been a real pleasure to work with colleagues from different universities, the BNA executive, the Liverpool Neuroscience Group, and partner organisations and charities.

"Together, we’re bringing BNA2025 to life - not only as a scientific conference, but as a festival that promotes brain health and highlights its impact on every part of our lives.

 “We hope to strengthen connections across the neuroscience community and with the wider public, highlighting the vital role of neuroscience research in society and championing the importance of brain health for all.”

 Members of the public are invited to explore their own brain health with ‘Bring Your Own Brain’, a free programme of events being held in and around the city throughout April.

 This year, Edge Hill staff and students are putting on live demonstrations and interactive sessions, which began with the successful ‘Move Your Body, Boost Your Brain: Dance Movement Therapy for Healthy Ageing’ with Professor Vicky Karkou.

Upcoming events include:

•  What is Blindness? The World Unseen - Wednesday 23 April, 2pm & 7pm, at FACT Liverpool, Dr Valeria Occelli

Blindness is often misunderstood and shaped by misconceptions. The screening of ‘What is Blindness? The World Unseen’ will showcase the authentic stories of visually impaired individuals, confronting common misconceptions about visual impairment.

 This event is organized by three sighted researchers in psychology alongside two visually impaired professionals from our region: writer and theatre director Mandy Redvers-Rowe and a radio producer and podcaster Tom Walker. The collaboration also includes institutions such as The Royal School for the Blind Liverpool, St Vincent's School for Visually Impaired Liverpool, Bradbury Fields Liverpool, and New College for Visually Impaired Worcester.

•   Remember Me: Memory and the Brain - Saturday 26 April, 12-4pm, outside Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head - Dr Dorothy Tse, Dr Jessica Talbot, Cristina Varela Chacon, Zahra Suriya, Chloe Ratcliffe.

 ‘Remember Me: Memory and the Brain' brings together research and lived experience through a collaboration with u3a UK (The Third Age Trust) Aughton and Ormskirk, House of Memories and researchers from Edge Hill University, University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Neuroscience Group.

View the full schedule for the BNA2025 conference here and search Bring Your Own Brain public events here