Format of the day
Due to the pandemic the event was hosted on a virtual platform and consisted of 18 invited speakers structured into sections which reflect the Network’s five research Hubs, with each session being chaired by the named lead:
- Memory (lead: Jack Mellor)
- Mental Health (UoB’s Mental Health Research Strategy group lead: Claire Haworth)
- Movement (lead: Jeremy F. Burn, note from February 2021 this will be Paul Chadderton)
- Neural Computation (lead: Conor Houghton)
- Sleep (lead: Matt Jones)
It was opened by BN’s Director Prof Matt Jones and introduced by the University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Health and Life Sciences) Prof John Iredale. The full programme can be viewed on the event webpage.
The event showcased the diverse and interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience research at the University of Bristol across three faculties, six schools, and two NHS Trusts (Bath and Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership). The day was complemented by keynote presentations by Prof Sir Michael Owen (Cardiff) and Prof Eve Marder (Brandeis).
Keeping a community active
When the first lockdown was announced in March 2020, BN realised the importance of keeping the wider community engaged and informed and started hosting a series of webinars which introduced the many facets of neuroscience research both at Bristol and beyond. The first, on mindfulness and wellbeing, was presented by Fabienne Vailes from the Department of French on 28 April 2020. Other topics include domestic violence, robotics in health and disease, AI in neural discovery, the virtual audience, presynaptic plasticity, neurological consequences of COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on anxiety and cognitive function in older adolescents, and decision-making as an indicator of animal emotion and welfare. The full list is available on the BN homepage along with links to the recordings.
Bristol Brain Research (BBR) was an extension of the webinars in that it provided a snapshot of the incredible amount of neuroscience work being undertaken by staff and students. Originally scheduled as a physical event in June 2020 which had already launched a call for abstracts and hired a venue, and which was cancelled due to COVID-19, BBR adapted and evolved to ensure that the Network delivered an accessible and informative series of talks that would attract a wide audience.
Over 210 people registered to attend the event, proving that there is indeed a great appetite for staying informed and engaged with colleagues.
Watch it again!
Recordings of the event are now available to view on YouTube:
Morning session-
Afternoon session-