Brain, Self and Society

The 1990s were landmark years for neuroscience. Characterised as ‘The Decade of the Brain’, developments inneurotechnology contributed to renewed conversations about the importance of the brain, lasting well into the twenty-first century. This workshop will explore the ramifications of ‘The Decade of the Brain’ for understanding self and society. In today’s biomedical culture, do we still think that the brain is as important as once assumed?

Academic Martyn Pickersgill (University of Edinburgh) will talk about his research on the social and cultural dimensions of neuroscience. Afterwards, creative facilitator Angie Spoto will convene a creative writing activity that integrates the reflections presented by Pickersgill into creative practice. Participants will be supported to write their own mini-stories about the brain and the self.

Spoto and Pickersgill will then reflect with the participants on their stories, and consider how those explorations mirror and perhaps even challenge conventional biomedical assumptions.

This will be a small event for up to 20 attendees, enabling deeper engagement between the speakers and the participants. Refreshments will be provided.

This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 7–16 November 2024. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org.

This specific event is supported by the Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society at the University of Edinburgh.

Image provided courtesy of Lothian Health Services Archive, Edinburgh University Library.

Host or Publisher Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society