School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences

Edinburgh Science Festival: music and the mind

Psychology researchers share their research into dementia, turn-taking and motor neurone disease at the 2019 Edinburgh Science Festival (6-21 April)

Psychology researchers in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (PPLS) will explore themes of music, and the mind at this year's Edinburgh Science Festival.

Meaningful music restores memories

On Saturday 13 April, Dr Tom Russ of the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre will take part in a panel discussion on the power of music in helping those with dementia.

The discussion is informed by findings from an Edinburgh-led research project PREVENT Dementia, which aims to identify risk factors for dementia in mid-life.

Edinburgh Science Festival | The Musical Brain: How Music Helps Dementia

Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre

PREVENT Dementia

Turn-taking in language and music

On Tuesday 16 April, an interactive children's play will highlight the importance of turn-taking in language and music.

The play is based on a current research project with psychology researchers Dr Nina Fisher, Dr Lauren Hadley and Professor Martin Pickering, which aims to understand the mechanisms of turn-taking, comparing and contrasting interpersonal coordination in language and in music.

Edinburgh Science Festival | It's My Turn

It's My Turn play was developed with the help of MSc Science Communication and Public Engagement graduates Alex Perry and Tremaine Bilham. It was piloted at local primary schools in 2018.

Turn-taking play visits local schools

Scottish MND research

On Thursday 18 April, advances in Scottish research on MND will be highlighted.

Professor Sharon Abrahams will chair the session and discuss her innovative online platform for the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS). The ECAS was created with colleagues from the Euan MacDonald Centre to help healthcare professionals assess patients with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) for changes in cognition and/or behaviour.

Edinburgh Science Festival | The Motor Neurone Disease Research Evolution 

The ECAS was highlighted at a University event celebrating knowledge exchange and impact activities earlier this year.

Celebration of research impact highlights MND research

Edinburgh Science Festival

The festival is a celebration of science and technology, taking place each year during the Easter break. Founded in 1989, it was the first of its kind and is still one of the largest science festivals in Europe, with almost 300 events running each year.

Related links

Edinburgh Science Festival