Neuroscience and Public Policy: understanding, questioning, deliberating

Neuroscience is increasingly important within social policy and services, with many policymakers/practitioners engaged to varying extents with ideas and research about the brain.

• How is neuroscience being used in policy?
• In what ways are scientists engaging with policymakers and service-users?
• What impacts do these interactions have on the place and role of other areas of research - in particular, the social sciences - in policy?

This event brings together academics, civil servants, and a range of other experts to inform debate about these issues and to develop new research and practice agendas. It is open to anyone with any interest in these issues, regardless of affiliation.

Session 1: Early Years and Education Dr Tineke Broer (Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh) Professsor Michael Thomas (Centre for Educational Neuroscience, Birkbeck, University of London) Dr Louise Scott (Head of Children and Families Analysis, Scottish Government) – with Germaine Vonhof and Isabella DeWit Jenny Ozga FBA (Professor Emeritus, Department of Education, University of Oxford) Session 2: Later Life Dr Alan Gow (School of Social Sciences, Heriot-Watt University) Ms Glenda Watt (Scottish Older People's Assembly) Mr Keith Robson (Charity Director, Deputy Chief Executive, Age Scotland) Dr Alexandra Hillman (School of Social Sciences, Cardiff)

Session 3: Panel Discussion Dr Sarah Morton (Outcome Focus) Dr Katherine Smith (Centre for Science, Knowledge and Policy, University of Edinburgh)

The event is supported by the British Academy, and organised by Dr Martyn Pickersgill, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh. For further information, please contact: martyn.pickersgill@ed.ac.uk