The International BNA2025 Festival of Neuroscience

27 Apr 2025 - 30 Apr 2025

Liverpool

Sitting on your shoulders is the most complicated object in the known universe – the human brain. Everything we ever do, every thought we think emanates from this three-pound lump of nerves and neurons.

In celebration of this miracle of evolution, the British Neuroscience Association is bringing its biennial festival of neuroscience to Liverpool this April.

As part of the festival, the local Liverpool Neuroscience Group are hosting a brain-themed public engagement programme, Bring Your Own Brain.

“We are bringing neuroscience out of the university laboratories and lecture halls and into an exciting array of public events at venues across the city region. What we want to do is inspire, entertain and engage people with the science of the brain,” explained Dr Susannah Walker, a Reader in Behavioural Neuroscience in LJMU’s School of Psychology and curator of the month-long public programme.

“What also amazing about the brain is that we now know quite a lot about how it is organized, and the processes that underpin key functions like vision, learning and memory. But there is still lots left to discover – new tools and technologies are helping progress understanding of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, and Parkinson’s and how can we treat them.”

Starting in March and running through April, Bring Your Own Brain: Liverpool ranges from talks and exhibitions to interactive shows with some stand-up comedy and dance thrown in for equal measure!

Highlights include:

In Touch With The Body: Through expert talks, live demonstrations, and interactive sessions, you’ll learn about your sense of touch, pain and itch from the skin to the brain – 3April at Shakespeare North.
Brain Science at Easter: A series of exhibitions on The Senses, Mind Craft, Neurodivergence and more – 5 to 21 April at Eureka Science + Discovery Centre.
Move Your body, Boost Your Brain: Dance Movement Therapy for Healthy Ageing – 28 March, Liverpool Lighthouse.

Bring Your Own Brain: Liverpool takes place in the run-up to the British Neuroscience Association’s Festival of Neuroscience conference coming to Liverpool’s Arena and Convention Centre from 27 to 30 April.

It has been made possible thanks to a strong partnership between the city’s universities, museums, charities, and other civic institutions, and support from official partner, The Queen’s Reading Room.

Added Dr Walker: “Our festival really has something for everyone. Art, comedy, talks and activities will be used to showcase the brain’s adaptability, debunk some common misconceptions about how the brain works and provide lifestyle tips that everyone can use to help keep their brain healthy.

And it’s (nearly) entirely free of charge. So, browse the programme, invite your friends and family, and Bring Your Own Brain!