As part of the Dana Foundation’s global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science in March, Arden University is proudly supporting the Brain Awareness Week campaign – hosting a series of lecturer and student-led events, organised by Arden’s BAW Student Committee.
Across the week, the BAW society has organised a series of podcast episodes on stress-related topics with guest speakers helping raise awareness of specific stress management techniques. Guest speakers and associated topics include: Work and academic stress with Alison Brown, the Biopsychological background of stress with Dr Sharon Buckland, and Mindfulness meditation as a stress management technique with Kieron Oakland.
Additionally, the AU BAW Student Committee have produced a video entitled ‘The Brain is Kind of a Big Deal’.
Focussing on Nick Seluk’s book of the same name the video will include answers from the author to a number of insightful interview questions.
Arden Lecturer, Dr. Adriana Lorena Soni said: “Every March since 1996, the Dana Foundation leads ‘Brain Awareness Week’ (BAW) which has the main objective of fostering public enthusiasm and support for brain science around the world. Arden University (AU) is hosting its first BAW during March 14 – 20, 2022.
"This was possible because of the amazing enthusiasm of lecturers and students who are passionate about the brain and donated their time and energy into creating fantastic public-friendly events. By attending BAW, we hope that you will become passionate about the brain too!”
A series of Webinars will be running across the week. Details on what the sessions will cover and how to register are below.
Welcoming you to Arden University Brain Awareness Week
Monday 14th March, 10:00 – 10:45 GMT
Dr Adriana Lorena Soni will present the aims and its importance for our university and the School of Psychology, along with the events that will be hosted during the week.
Brain myths: fact or fiction?
Monday 14th March, 11:00 – 12:00 GMT
Dr Rachel Marchant will lead you through an exploration of seven myths and present the real facts about each one to expand your neuroscience knowledge. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions.
Personal change through growth mindset
Wednesday 16th March, 10:00 – 11:00 GMT
Ali Brown will explain what our mindsets are and how we can embrace a Growth Mindset to help us to develop and improve in the ways we really want to.
Fatigue and the brain
Wednesday 16th March, 11:00 – 12:00 GMT
This session will cover the biological basis of fatigue and why it is such a challenge after ABI. Dr Sharon Buckland will be joined by expert speaker Dr Greg Dean, who will talk about his experience of life after a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage and the impact fatigue has had on him.
Stroke, attention, and emotion regulation
Wednesday 16th March, 13:00 – 14:00 GMT
Cerebrovascular accidents, more commonly known as strokes, often have a significant and long-term impact on a person's life. This session will focus on the consequences of right parietal lesions, focusing especially on attentional difficulties and how these can interact with emotion regulation.
Working in the acquired brain injury sector
Wednesday 16th March, 14:00 – 15:00 GMT
An informal session discussing careers and opportunities in the acquired brain injury field - a highly engaging and rewarding field to work in.
What's going on in there? The science behind neuroimaging methods
Friday 18th March, 13:00 – 14:00 GMT
Get an overview of the science behind EEG (Electroencephalography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), two common neuroimaging methods, and discover what benefits they offer and the misconceptions people have about them.
Closing ceremony
Friday 18th March, 14:30 – 15:30 GMT
Bringing the week to a close, Dr Adriana Lorena Soni will summarise the main messages covered during the week, with closing statements from members of the Arden University Brain Awareness Week Student Committee, and thoughts about future editions!
