What a week!
Brain Awareness Week celebrations in this country have grown over the last six years from the modest beginnings of one Open Day to a comprehensive, national public brain health awareness programme. This year, New Zealanders from all walks of life had the opportunity to hear and share in the science of the human brain from many leading neuroscientists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuropsychologists at four Brain Days and 12 regional public lectures planned in cities and towns from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island. From lectures such as Understanding how the brain can be repaired after stroke to Teaching the brain to overcome neurological disease, this year’s programme offered an excellent opportunity for members of the public, support groups, students and professionals to tap into some of the best brains and hear about their incredible work in the laboratory and clinic.
We are thrilled to report that over 5,700 people attended the various events nationwide. The Neurological Foundation was able to present this year’s extensive programme thanks to the huge commitment of speakers, and various dedicated partners across the country including the Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland; Parkinson’s Auckland; the Tiaho Trust, Whangarei; Alzheimer’s Wanganui; Victoria University of Wellington; Wakatipu U3A; the Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, and various community support groups.
Our thoughts have been with the people of Christchurch and Canterbury continually, and we thank all speakers and support groups who have committed to a rescheduled Brain Day Christchurch and Rangiora public lecture (future date yet to be arranged).
Lecture material and recordings
Material from the Brain Day Auckland lectures are available in pdf format here, and recordings from Brain Day Dunedin will soon be available (watch this space in early May).
All lecture material is compiled by the lecturers and remains their copyright unless otherwise stated. Handouts and recordings are for personal use only. If you wish to quote or reference any material, contact our Communications Manager here to gain permission.
Media
We are very grateful to the various editors, producers and journalists around the country who spread the word about Brain Awareness Week 2011. Here are a few interesting pieces from a selection of the week’s coverage:
Click here to listen to Professor Cliff Abraham on Kim Hill’s National Radio show from Saturday 02 April 2011
Click here to read about Professor Winston Byblow’s work as featured in the NZ Herald
Click here to read The magic between your ears featuring Dr Cathy Stinear and Dr Stuart Mossman in Wellington’s Capital Times
Click here to read about Otago University’s Dr Andrew Clarkson, who spoke in Queenstown and at Brain Day Dunedin on Understanding how the brain can be repaired after stroke
Support acknowledgements
The Neurological Foundation funded Brain Awareness Week in New Zealand with the generous support of:
The Ted & Mollie Carr Endowment Fund, administered by Guardian Trust, for all of Auckland’s events
The Dowdall Trust, administered by the Public Trust, for the Napier event
The A K Franks Charitable Trust (Rotary Club of Whangarei) and the Laurence William Nelson Trust (administered by the Public Trust) for Brain Day Whangarei.