Creativity and brain science collide at Creative Brain Week 2023

Posted on: 06 March 2023

Creative Brain Week takes place this week (6^th to 11^th March). Now in its second year, the series of public events and activities is an exploration of how brain science and creativity collide to seed new ideas in social development, culture, wellbeing, and physical, mental and brain health across the life cycle and within society.

The Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity, will host the annual event to explore and promote the interdisciplinary neuroscience of creativity and the brain and all its practical applications, while at the same time highlighting the importance of Ireland in this emergent field.

Creativity arises in the brain and is everyone’s biggest asset – from solving daily problems to improving our health and well being – creating innovations that can shape the lives of millions.

Hosted by the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), this exciting programme of exploration will take place in the Naughton Institute in Trinity College Dublin and online where Irish and international experts will come together to celebrate creativity, originality, and its application. Featuring a heady mix of artists, neuroscientists, researchers, educationalists, industry leaders and innovators, the week includes panel discussions, talks and a creative exhibition and contributions from a wide panel of expert academics and practitioners.

The programme developed from a collaborative international network within GBHI supported by innovation across multiple Trinity departments. Over 100 global expert speakers will be online and in attendance to bring their own perspective and suggest how their thinking and originality might serve humanity into the future.  In tandem, a creative exhibition will cover a wide variety of genres and themes from film to visual art to performances. 

Speaking about the event Professor Brian Lawlor, Site Director of the Global Brain Health Institute and Conolly Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at Trinity College said:

“Creative Brain Week 2023 explores the brain science of creativity and how it helps to solve conflict at an individual and societal level and why creativity, imagination and joy are central to our health and wellbeing.  

While creativity and the sense of 'flow' are internally experienced in our brains, there's a part of creativity that comes from places outside ourselves. The intersection of the internal and external experience of creativity is where imagination, joy and conflict resolution can be realised and is the focus of this year's Creative Brain Week.”  

Professor Ian Robertson, Founding Director of the Global Brain Health Institute and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Trinity College said:

“It’s an honour to host Creative Brain Week here at Trinity College. As a trained clinical psychologist and neuroscientist, I firmly believe that understanding the links and intersections between creativity and neuroscience is crucial for continued innovation and development.” 

He continued, “In focusing on the themes of Conflict, Joy and Imagination, it will help us find creative common ground in a world that is in a state of flux. We aim to strive for better not only in the areas of science but in business, innovation and the arts and discussion like this are crucial for progress. I look forward to taking part in the informative programme of events and enjoying the creative exhibition that accompanies the keynote topics this week”

Last year’s Creative Brain Week inspired a number of key initiatives in the area of brain health both at home, and abroad. These included:

• Informed by the Creativity, Neuroscience and Equity session Trinity and US Universities develop a Centre for Forced Migration Studies. View videos | Read news story
• ArtsandBrain.com – supported by the Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile, Atlantic Fellows at the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and collaborators identify and share successful creative practice promoting brain health and wellbeing to encourage its adoption worldwide by peer networks
• Copa Y Vida – Musicians in Argentina and neuroscientists in Dublin develop music for brain health programmes responding to complex needs of vulnerable populations, supported by GBHI and The Atlantic Institute

Organisers are hoping that this year’s event will spark some equally exciting and important fresh initiatives into 2023/24.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

All events are free, but booking/registration is required. To view the full programme and register for an event, visit: https://creativebrainweek.com

• Tags:
• Arts
• Health
• Innovation
• Research
• Science
• Society