Our Brains in the Modern Age

How many times have you found yourself saying you have no time to read while strolling on your phone for 5 hours or binge-watching a Netflix series? More likely to read when on holiday or long travel? Decision-making is influenced by effort and reward; we are less likely to choose activities, including cognitive and physical tasks, that require effort. I will explain effort discounting and how we measure it, along with explaining why you always find reasons not to pick up that book!

In this presentation, I will talk about how genetics can influence how well students do in school, which is a big, yet often overlooked topic. I will use information from studies on twins and gene analysis to show how genetic differences in our DNA partly explain individual differences in school performance. I will also talk about common misconceptions in genetics and education, and share what science really tells us about this complicated topic.

Ever cringed at a Facebook status? Ever retracted the 'kind' in 'kind regards'? Ever wondered what the mindset is behind a keyboard warrior? Within my talk, I will delve into the psychological concepts and mechanisms behind why we communicate online and what shapes the way we disclose information online. From childhood to adulthood, I will also break down how our own development may play a role in our online communication.

Have you ever wondered what happens in your brain when you listen to your favourite song or talking to a friend? Today, we will explore the brain's remarkable ability to process sounds. I will explain how sounds travel from our ears to our brain, how ageing influences our hearing, and why noisy environments like Pubs challenge our ears.