Skip to content
It’s all in the mind as new exhibition uncovers secrets of the brain

Press release -

It’s all in the mind as new exhibition uncovers secrets of the brain

One of the largest biomedical research charities in the world, the Wellcome Trust, has pledged £650,000 towards a new exhibition opening in 2016 that will tell the story of the brain and how it works, revealing some of its secrets and exploring the techniques scientists use to study it.

Investigating everything from how messages are relayed in the brain to the role of sleep and disease, the exhibition will offer different zones designed to develop visitors’ understanding of our senses, consciousness, perception, emotions, and behaviour and how we learn.

Life is working with experts from across the world to develop the exhibition, including academics from Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham Universities. The exhibition will also enable the universities to work with visitors to carry out research and talk about their latest work.

Greta Defeyter, Professor of Psychology and Director of ‘Healthy Living’, at Northumbria University, who is involved with the development of this exhibition, said: “The brain is our most fascinating and essential organ, responsible for every motion, every reaction and every thought.”

Linda Conlon, Chief Executive at Life, added: “The human brain is a highly complex and fascinating structure. Understanding it better is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st Century. This exhibition will help visitors explore its inner workings, discover how it’s wired, how it learns and how it thinks.”

Tom Ziessen, senior national programmes adviser at the Wellcome Trust, said: “Our brains are central to who we are, and how we interact with each other as well as with the world around us. However, it is still one of the most mysterious organs in our bodies. This exciting exhibition will provide a window into the ways in which we are trying to understand how it all works.”

Northumbria University and the Life Science Centre work in partnership to encourage the public to engage with the world of science. Both organisations are trying to enhance learning and teaching in STEM subjects and promote employment in STEM-based careers.

The partnership has resulted in an innovative new Science Communication masters course, which is the first of its kind in the UK. The course, which is available on both a full- and part-time basis, provides students with the skills, knowledge and experience to develop and stage science shows, create exhibitions and events and deliver successful education programmes to the public.

Click here to read about student Stephen Boddy’s experience of the course and how he believes it will benefit his career.

Categories


Northumbria is a research-rich, business-focussed, professional university with a global reputation for academic excellence. To find out more about our courses go towww.northumbria.ac.uk

If you have a media enquiry please contact our Media and Communications team at media.communications@northumbria.ac.uk or call 0191 227 4571.

Contacts

Rik Kendall

Rik Kendall

Press contact PR and Media Manager Business and Law / Arts, Design & Social Sciences 07923 382339
Andrea Slowey

Andrea Slowey

Press contact PR and Media Manager Engineering and Environment / Health and Life Sciences 07708 509436
Rachael Barwick

Rachael Barwick

Press contact PR and Media Manager 07377422415
James Fox

James Fox

Press contact Student Communications Manager
Kelly Elliott

Kelly Elliott

Press contact PR and Media Officer
Gemma Brown

Gemma Brown

Press contact PR and Media Officer

Related content

 Northumbria University scientists provide expertise to world-leading human performance lab

Northumbria University scientists provide expertise to world-leading human performance lab

Scientists at Northumbria University, Newcastle, are working with one of the world’s largest consumer healthcare companies to test the performance of elite athletes such as Olympic diver Tom Daley. One of these projects is examining the use of protein in exercise recovery and the other is aimed at improving our understanding of the brain’s influence in decision making.

Northumbria experts navigate the human body

Northumbria experts navigate the human body

This weekend, Northumbria University anatomy expert, Stephen Boddy, will guide visitors through a world-famous exhibition that strips the human body bare.

Partnership to bring science to life

Partnership to bring science to life

Two organisations committed to shaping the future of science in the North East have joined forces in a new alliance that will draw the public into the world of science.

Northumbria anatomist returns to learning

Northumbria anatomist returns to learning

An anatomy demonstrator from Northumbria University is switching from teacher to scholar after signing up to the University’s unique new degree programme.

Will your partner stay or stray?

Will your partner stay or stray?

Both men and women may be genetically inclined to be either promiscuous or faithful according to new research from Northumbria and Oxford Universities.

No more sleepless nights

No more sleepless nights

​A Northumbria academic has developed an innovative animated film to explore the link between sleep and mental health.

Psychologist launches guide book for humans

Psychologist launches guide book for humans

A senior lecturer and health psychologist at Northumbria University, Newcastle, has published a new book that explores what makes us who we are and why we are so resistant to change.

#TakeOnTomorrow

Northumbria University is a research-intensive university that unlocks potential for all, changing lives regionally, nationally and internationally.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

Northumbria University, Newcastle
NE1 8ST Newcastle upon Tyne
United Kingdom