Instant Expert: Uncovering the mind's mysteries

New Scientist presents ...

Instant Expert: Uncovering the mind’s mysteries

Saturday 7th December 2024, 10am - 5pm | Congress Centre, 28 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LS

If you’re reading these words, chances are you’re using a human brain to understand what these symbols mean. And your human brain is conscious of its own existence, unlike a photocopier or an AI chatbot.

But what is really going on inside this lump of interconnected tissue within your skull? And how can science help us understand how controversial topics such as the effect of screen time, how we can be happier and the difference between male and female brains?

Join six pioneering researchers who will illuminate the neural underpinnings of thought, emotion, and communication. Through the lens of neuroscience, psychology, and physiology, they will unveil the latest breakthroughs and explore strategies to optimise brain performance.

At this Instant Expert, you’ll:

· Discover the latest advances in brain research and how they could change our lives.

· Learn from leading experts in neuroscience, psychology, and physiology about the brain's inner workings.

· Explore the fascinating science behind our thoughts, feelings, and consciousness.

· Gain insights on how to boost your cognitive performance and live a healthier, happier life.

Talks and speakers:

How to be happy
Bruce Hood, Professor of Developmental Psychology in Society, Bristol University

We all yearn for greater happiness, but our brains can often be our own worst enemy. The Science of Happiness offers an evidence-based pathway to enhancing mental well-being by rewiring the way we think. In this talk, psychologist Bruce Hood delves into the complexities of why happiness can be so elusive and explores practical strategies for overcoming the brain's obstacles to our mental health.

Brains, games and screen time claims
Pete Etchells, Professor of Psychology and Science Communication, Bath Spa University

We've been bombarded with claims that digital technologies - from video games to social media and smartphones - hijack our brains by manipulating the dopamine reward system. This paints a picture of addictive and potentially harmful devices. But what does the actual science tell us about how tech interacts with our brains? In this talk, Pete Etchells will delve into the research, unravel the controversies surrounding digital addictions, and question whether this framework accurately captures our complex relationship with screens.

The Science of Inner Experience

Charles Fernyhough, Professor of Psychology, Durham University

Inner experience refers to the contents of consciousness such as inner speech, memories, visual imagery, embodied feelings, etc. Traditionally considered impossible to study because of its private nature, inner experience is emerging as a growing subfield of cognitive science, not least because of the development of new methods for investigating it. Above all, the study of inner experience demands to be approached as a collaborative, interdisciplinary endeavour, drawing in the humanities and social sciences as well as psychology, neuroscience, computer science, philosophy and other traditional cognitive science disciplines. In this talk, I describe some recent interdisciplinary explorations of some aspects of inner experience such as inner speech, memory and hallucinations, and how they have found applications in gaming, AI and the creative industries.

Making sense of Sensory Differences: tasty textures, spiteful sounds, and seeing with a blind mind's eye

Julia Simner, Professor of neuropsychology, University of Sussex

Two more exciting talks to be announced soon...

Who should attend?

This masterclass is designed for everyone who wants to leave this Instant Expert feeling confident discussing the the neural underpinnings of thought, emotion, and communication.

• Become an expert in one day

• Informal set-up, meet like minded people

• Open your mind, be inspired

• Unique chance to ask your burning questions to our experts

What's included in your ticket:

In-depth and engaging talks from six leading scientists

Ask-an-expert Question Time session

Your chance to meet our six speakers and New Scientist host

Exclusive on-the-day New Scientist subscription deal, book and merchandise offers Booking information:

The event will be held at the Congress Centre, 28 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LS

Doors will open at 9:15am, with talks commencing at 10am sharp. The event will finish at 5pm.

We require the name of each person attending - please ensure this is provided at the time of booking. If you need to change the name of an attendee, please notify us as soon as possible: [email protected]

Eventbrite will email you your ticket(s) immediately after purchase. Please remember to bring your ticket(s) with you as you'll need it to gain entry. We can scan tickets from a print out, or off the screen of a phone / tablet / smartwatch.

The schedule / exact running order for the day will be confirmed closer to the event, and will be emailed to all ticket holders.

Lunch will NOT be provided at this event. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food, or purchase lunch at one of the many establishments in the surrounding area.

Should you require details about disabled access, please contact us at: [email protected]

Tickets are non-transferable to any other New Scientist event.

All tickets are non-refundable.

New Scientist reserves the right to alter the event and its line-up, or cancel the event. In the unlikely event of cancellation, all tickets will be fully refunded. New Scientist Ltd will not be liable for any additional expenses incurred by ticket holders in relation to the event.

Tickets are subject to availability and are only available in advance through Eventbrite.

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