BrainCast

Sussex Neuroscience Society

A student-run podcast, produced by Sussex Neuroscience Society, aiming to showcase the breadth of innovation and creativity across psychology and neuroscience within the University of Sussex, and further afield. Here at BrainCast, we try to make cutting-edge research accessible to the public, in a non-complicated, easy-to-follow way.

read less
ScienceScience
Start Here
Consciousness with Anil Seth
03-09-2023
Consciousness with Anil Seth
Anil Seth is one of the most prominent consciousness researchers in the 21st century. Working as a professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, and director of the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science, Seth focuses on how brain systems operate to produce the rich inner experience we are all familiar with, but that is inherently different for each of us. As if this wasn’t impressive enough, Seth is also the author of the Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller, ‘Being You’, and the speaker of one of TED’s most popular science talks. In this episode of BrainCast, our co-hosts Loll Downes and Paddy Haresnape speak with Seth about how the field of consciousness science can be translated into psychiatric medicine, the phenomenon of inner diversity and our perceptions of the world, and the possibility of conscious AI machinery. Listen to this episode to better understand individual perceptions of reality and the self, and the current approaches to uncovering the mysteries of consciousness. To learn more about the incredible work of Anil, find his website, and his TED talk, linked below.https://www.anilseth.com/https://embed.ted.com/talks/the_ted_interview_anil_seth_explores_the_mystery_of_consciousness Purchase Anil’s highly praised book here.Interested in hosting an episode, or joining as a guest speaker? Pop us an email - ac2021@sussex.ac.uk :)

Episodes

Consciousness with Anil Seth
03-09-2023
Consciousness with Anil Seth
Anil Seth is one of the most prominent consciousness researchers in the 21st century. Working as a professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, and director of the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science, Seth focuses on how brain systems operate to produce the rich inner experience we are all familiar with, but that is inherently different for each of us. As if this wasn’t impressive enough, Seth is also the author of the Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller, ‘Being You’, and the speaker of one of TED’s most popular science talks. In this episode of BrainCast, our co-hosts Loll Downes and Paddy Haresnape speak with Seth about how the field of consciousness science can be translated into psychiatric medicine, the phenomenon of inner diversity and our perceptions of the world, and the possibility of conscious AI machinery. Listen to this episode to better understand individual perceptions of reality and the self, and the current approaches to uncovering the mysteries of consciousness. To learn more about the incredible work of Anil, find his website, and his TED talk, linked below.https://www.anilseth.com/https://embed.ted.com/talks/the_ted_interview_anil_seth_explores_the_mystery_of_consciousness Purchase Anil’s highly praised book here.Interested in hosting an episode, or joining as a guest speaker? Pop us an email - ac2021@sussex.ac.uk :)
Mitochondrial Diseases with Aya Tarabeine
01-07-2023
Mitochondrial Diseases with Aya Tarabeine
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Alice Cox speaks with Aya Tarabeine, a postgraduate research student at UCL's Queen Square Institute of Neurology, about her journey to study mitochondrial function, her thoughts and opinions on current debates within mitochondrial biology, and moments of running her own podcast that has been particularly memorable.Listen to Aya's own podcast, Your Brain Uncovered, here.Similarly, if you have any questions for Aya, feel free to reach out using aya.tarabeine.22@ucl.ac.uk.For more frequent BrainCast updates, follow us on Instagram (@usneurosoc) or Twitter (@SussexNeuroSoc).Any further questions, drop us a message at ac2021@sussex.ac.uk.
Hidden Disabilities: Functional Neurological Disorder Awareness
19-06-2023
Hidden Disabilities: Functional Neurological Disorder Awareness
In today's episode of BrainCast, we continue the Hidden Disabilities series where our host Emily Kirkby talks with Rae about her hidden disability; Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a disorder characterised by the dysfunction of the nervous system, and how the brain/body send and receive signals. Rae discusses her experiences with the healthcare system, and what they think needs to be done to make society more accessible for those with a hidden disability.
Food Rewards and Cues with Dr Eisuke Koya
19-06-2023
Food Rewards and Cues with Dr Eisuke Koya
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Angus Thain talks with Dr Eisuke Koya, a reader in behavioural neuroscience at the University of Sussex, about appetitive associations between food rewards and cues that predict their availability.
PhD Research with Oluwaseyi Jesusanmi
17-06-2023
PhD Research with Oluwaseyi Jesusanmi
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Maja Nowak talks with Oluwaseyi Jesusanmi, a PhD student working on sensory neuroscience at the University of Sussex, about his PhD project, his work experience in Japan, as well as his advice for undergraduates looking to go into academia.
Diversity in STEM Research with Dr Eleanor Jayawant
17-06-2023
Diversity in STEM Research with Dr Eleanor Jayawant
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Sam Gornall talks with Dr Eleanor Jayawant, a Research Fellow in Computational Systems Biology at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, about experiences of a career in STEM with disabilities, and why it is important to encourage diversity in every field, not just research.
Hidden Disabilities: Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies
17-06-2023
Hidden Disabilities: Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies
In today's episode of BrainCast, we begin the Hidden Disabilities series with hosts Emily Kirkby and Sude Umac, who talk with University of Sussex student Alex Michael about their hidden disability, Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies (HNPP). We talk about their experiences within the healthcare and educational system, and what they think needs to be done to make society more accessible for people with hidden disabilities.
Alzheimer's Research and Public Engagement with Dr Claire Lancaster
17-06-2023
Alzheimer's Research and Public Engagement with Dr Claire Lancaster
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Sam Gornall talks with Dr Claire Lancaster, an Alzheimer's Society Research Fellow at the University of Sussex, about her views on present research, public engagement, and what the field might look like moving forward.
Synesthesia with Professor Jamie Ward
17-06-2023
Synesthesia with Professor Jamie Ward
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Loll Downes talks with Professor Jamie Ward, the director of Sussex Neuroscience who specialises in the field of individual differences in perceptual experiences, about his inspirations to working in cognitive neuroscience, as well as his recent work in synesthesia.
Transition from Industry to Academia with Emeritus Professor Dora Duka
17-06-2023
Transition from Industry to Academia with Emeritus Professor Dora Duka
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Alice Cox talks with Emeritus Professor Dora Duka, an experimental psychologist at the University of Sussex, about her research on the cognitive and emotional mechanisms of addiction, as well as different aspects of human psychopharmacology. She also talks about her career journey from industry to academia.
Learning and Memory with Dr Sam Berens
17-06-2023
Learning and Memory with Dr Sam Berens
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Imogen Moore talks with Dr Sam Berens, a research fellow in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Sussex, about virtual reality environments, computational modelling, the neuroscience behind how we learn general patterns, new vocabulary, and the layout of unfamiliar places.
Motor Neuron Diseases with Professor Majid Hafezparast
17-06-2023
Motor Neuron Diseases with Professor Majid Hafezparast
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Angus Thain talks with Professor Majid Hafezparast, a lecturer and professor of molecular neuroscience at the University of Sussex, about ALS, and the molecular level defects in how cargo is transported along neuron axons.
Cognitive Science with Munirah Alwhibi
17-06-2023
Cognitive Science with Munirah Alwhibi
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Imogen Moore talks with Munirah Alwhibi, a PhD researcher in cognitive science at the University of Sussex, about behavioural biometrics, the human-computer interaction, cognitive profiling, authentication and data science.
Neurodegeneration with Professor Louise Serpell
17-06-2023
Neurodegeneration with Professor Louise Serpell
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Imogen Moore speaks with Professor Louise Serpell, a biochemist and neuroscience researcher at the University of Sussex, about dementia and creativity, and the current therapies for Alzheimer's disease. She also talks about her current research group that focuses on protein misfolding and self-assembly in neurodegenerative diseases.
The Auditory System with Professor Corne Kros
17-06-2023
The Auditory System with Professor Corne Kros
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Angus Thain talks with Corne Kros, a professor of neuroscience at Sussex, about his research on inner ear hair cells, and their contribution to hearing loss. We also get an insight into what it's like being an academic and hear some advice for those aspiring to do a PhD/have a career in research.
Systems Neuroscience with Professor Miguel Maravall
17-06-2023
Systems Neuroscience with Professor Miguel Maravall
On today's episode of BrainCast, our host Marcus Burnell-Spector speaks with Professor Miguel Maravall, the Co-Director of Sussex Neuroscience, about his work on sensory neurophysiology using optogenetics and electrophysiology. He also talks about his career path from studying physics to experimental systems neuroscience.
Vision Ecology with Professor Tom Baden
17-06-2023
Vision Ecology with Professor Tom Baden
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Imogen Moore talks with Professor Tom Baden of the University of Sussex, about how visual information processing works within the brain. We also talk about writing grant proposals and community outreach.
The Neuroscience of Memory with Dominika Varga
17-06-2023
The Neuroscience of Memory with Dominika Varga
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Imogen Moore talks with Dominika Varga, from the Episodic Memory Group at the University of Sussex, about her work on memory and event segmentation. Dominika also discusses her career path and the advice she would give to prospective PhD students.
Behavioural Neuroscience with Dr Bryan Singer
17-06-2023
Behavioural Neuroscience with Dr Bryan Singer
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Imogen Moore talks with Dr Bryan Singer, of the Sussex Addiction Research & Intervention Centre, about the psychological and neurobiological underpinnings of addiction. We also talk about how behavioural addictions are studied and the importance of multidisciplinary research.
Vision and Synapses with Professor Leon Lagnado
09-06-2023
Vision and Synapses with Professor Leon Lagnado
In today's episode of BrainCast, our host Marcus Burnell-Spector talks with Professor Leon Lagnado, a lecturer and professor of neuroscience at the University of Sussex, about his research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating synaptic transmission, and how these determine the processing of visual signals in the retina and higher visual centres. He also speaks about his career journey.