Now in its third year, Creative Brain Week — an interdisciplinary exploration of how brain science and creativity collide to benefit health, well-being and social development — has gone global. Hosted by the Global Brain Health Institute in Trinity College Dublin and with the continuing support of the Atlantic Institute, four “satellite events” were launched for the first time in Brisbane, Cairo, Gaborone and New Delhi, with the last of the events completing in June.
Led by Atlantic Fellows from different countries, all leaders of their fields and changemakers for equity, the events brought together researchers, neuroscientists, artists, musicians, universities and cultural organizations, among others. Their goal is to increase understanding and promote health equity by celebrating diverse cultural and creative attitudes toward brain health.
The Fellows embedded exploratory thinking around brain health and creativity with local partners and into existing local systems, leveraging resources and networks for sustainability alongside support from the Atlantic Institute. Each event was thematically connected and locally informed to encourage equitable exchanges of knowledge between disciplines, cultures and lived experiences.
The satellites kicked off in March in Cairo, Egypt, when Atlantic Fellows, neuroscientist Mohamed Salama and neurologist Shaimaa El-Jaafary, led the first event. With additional support from The American University in Cairo, they aimed to establish an African hub for brain health initiatives. As well as the in-person event in Egypt, faculty from the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) — Ian Robertson, Brian Lawlor, Rob Whelan and Agustin Ibanez — who are based in Ireland participated via Zoom.
Mohamed said, “The number of registered attendees and those who registered onsite exceeded 500. Most of them were surprised that 'neuroscience' can involve different disciplines and that the arts can play a role. I believe that Creative Brain Week can continue to serve as a pot that gathers all the active players and connects and inspires them to innovate and work together.”
In May, in New Delhi, there was another satellite event led by Atlantic Fellows, clinical psychologist and social entrepreneur, Dr. Jayashree Dasgupta, and neuroscientist, Anusha Yasoda-Mohan. Supported by Delhi-based mental health organization, Samvedna Care, they also focused on developing a collaborative brain health strategy across their country, by holding workshops that brought together a diverse group of professionals that included researchers, clinicians, community champions, entrepreneurs and artists.
Jayashree said, “A significant achievement of the workshop was the transformation of individual participants into a cohesive network with a collective vision for brain health in India. This event was not just a one-time gathering but the start of a series of ongoing conversations and actions that will continue to unfold as the network grows. I am thrilled by the collaborative spirit and shared dedication of everyone involved.”
Also in May, in Gaborone, Botswana, Atlantic Fellows, neuropsychologist Lingani Mbakile-Mahlanza and public health epidemiology professor, Dr Ganzamungu Zihindula, led a satellite event developed with the University of Botswana (UB) Department of Psychology. It aimed to raise awareness and educate the community by defining the messaging, engaging wider communities (particularly in rural areas), and celebrating these efforts across university departments.
Ganzamungu said, “This event served as a testament to the power of community-led initiatives in promoting brain health awareness. Through storytelling, interactive activities, dance, singing/music, and cultural expression, the event fostered a sense of belonging and collective responsibility towards cognitive well-being.”
In June, Brisbane's Creative Brain Week Satellite event was led by Atlantic Fellows, economist Kim-Huong Nguyen, and marketing coach and media trainer, Juanita Wheeler. Focused on showcasing local brain health initiatives, they partnered with the UQ Queensland Brain Institute, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art and Griffith University to build a community of collaborators across different sectors and disciplines.
The Brisbane event featured a series of salons to connect neuroscientists, educators, health policymakers, artists and innovators. It emphasized the role of brain science and creativity in driving future approaches to health, the arts and innovation, demonstrating how forging local collaborations can increase the effectiveness of campaigns to advance global brain health equity.
Dominic Campbell, who founded Creative Brain Week, said, “Creative Brain Week has quickly moved from discussing to articulating the potential of Atlantic Fellowships. Establishing these safe brave spaces that nurture collaboration across the divides of discipline, location, or history, helps us move from living in the dreams of our grandparents to demonstrations of our own future. With this web of events growing, we want ideas to cascade across their distribution channels.”
The launch of satellite events in Cairo, Gaborone, New Delhi, and Brisbane was a crucial step in fostering global collaborations and creative approaches to brain health. By integrating local and global perspectives and promoting interdisciplinary dialogue, these events advanced the understanding of brain health across diverse cultural settings. These Fellow-led initiatives paved the way for future collaborations and innovative strategies to improve brain health and promote health equity worldwide.
Brian Lawlor, founding site director of the Global Brain Health Institute in Dublin, said, “Creativity is a pathway for everyone, and I believe there is huge potential for creativity to promote health and wellbeing at a population level — it’s almost like a common language across cultures."
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