Recent events

Recent Public Engagement activities at the Institute.

Neurogenetics Lab hosted families from around the world for NARS1 Patient Day

an opportunity to share the latest research, including iPSC-based studies, and connect with parents of those affected by NARS1-related disorders.

“Now is the time for progress”: Research for a better future for young people with Parkinson’s

A UCL exhibition celebrating the joining of art, science and community, to support the new world-class neuroscience centre, currently under construction on Grays Inn Road, London - with one project giving a voice to the unheard world of young-onset Parkinson’s.

Junior Medical Explorers:UCL Neurogenetics Lab & Little House of Science Neuroscience & Genetics Day

During Autumn Half Term 2024, students from the Neurogenetics Lab at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology collaborated with Little House of Science to host an engaging day of neuroscience and genetics for 96 children aged 4-13.

Shaping the Future: Neurogenetics Lab Summer Experience 2024

In summer 2024, the Neurogenetics Lab at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, in partnership with Professor James Jepson’s Lab and the Social Mobility Foundation, provided a unique opportunity for a group of talented 16–18-year-olds.

Transformative Weekend for Families Affected by Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome

Over a three-day weekend, members from the Neurogenetics Lab at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology participated in an event designed for families dealing with Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome (NCBRS).

The Graphic Truth: music, art and the Young Onset Parkinson’s community

A live musical interpretation of a graphic score made by a group of people living with young onset Parkinson’s’

To Be Heard! A Music Festival For The Young-Onset Parkinson’s Community

The event is being organised by clinical neuropsychologist, Dr Jennifer Foley, and artist Alison Carlier, in collaboration with Parkinson’s UK, and the kind support of UCL Grand Challenges.

UCL and leading charities launch Digital Hub to transform understanding of the brain’s role in OCD

LinkOver the past two years, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology researchers, engagement specialists and two leading OCD charities, International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and UK-based OCD Action, have collaborated with people from the OCD community to create OCD and the Brain.

I Hear You: A Soundscape of the Unheard World of Young Onset Parkinson’s

The work is the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration between artist Alison Carlier and neuropsychologist Dr Jennifer Foley, commissioned by the UCL IoN-DRI Trellis: Arbor knowledge-exchange programme.

Patterns of Perception in Parkinson’s Team wins Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network Award

The complementary pair of booklets – designed for people living with Parkinson’s, and healthcare professionals – were co-developed by a multi-disciplinary team, including people living with Parkinson’s to open up conversations about Parkinson’s dementia.

World Down Syndrome Day 2024 Celebration

Join us at The Francis Crick Institute on Saturday 16th March to celebrate World Down syndrome Day with activities, science and much more!

Greengross Global Arts for Brain Health Changemakers - Rare Dementias 18th January 2024

Hear how inspirational people use creativity and learning to override symptoms of a rare dementia, preserve and advance active life: chaired by Professor Sebastian Crutch, Dementia Research Centre.

The Neurogenetics Lab Summer Work Experience 2023: Empowering the Next Generation of Scientists

in July 2023, the Neurogenetics Lab at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology partnered with the Social Mobility Foundation to offer a unique summer work experience for a group of talented and curious 16-18 year old students to learn about the world of Neurogenetics research.

Talking Lines: Stories of diagnosis and support as told by those with lived experience of rarer forms of dementia.

This research project is part of the Rare Dementia Support (RDS) Impact study at the Dementia Research Centre (DRC)

Exhibition – 22nd Sept- 10th Dec
Creative Workshop and Panel Discussion – 21st October

Understanding MRI: Two animations co-created alongside research participants to explain key aspects of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

The Understanding MRI team have co-created two new animations which explain key aspects of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – a key neuroimaging technique used by researchers at UCL’s Department of Imaging Neuroscience.

New guidance on how to support young people during brain scanning co-developed with young people with epilepsy

The OPM Collaboration set out to raise the voice of young people with epilepsy. In partnership with Young Epilepsy, the project co-designed key elements of a new wearable brain scanning technology: OPM-MEG. Through the project, new insights and guidance have been published on how to better support young people with epilepsy during the brain scanning process of this emerging technology.

Department of Imaging Neuroscience Celebrates Annual Public Engagement Awards 2023

Three awards were presented to recognise outstanding contributions to the strong culture of public engagement at UCL’s Department of Imaging Neuroscience on 16th June 2023.

In2research took home a Silver Award in the ‘Innovation’ award at the sixth annual UK Social Mobility Awards.

The winners of the 2022 UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs) were announced at an Awards Fundraising Gala held at The Royal Lancaster London Hotel on Thursday 13th October.

Brains in a Dish 15th Oct 2022 - 14th Jan 2023

An innovative interdisciplinary project at the Cooper Gallery, Barnsley, inspired by Prof Selina Wray’s pioneering research.

UCL World Stroke Day Forum 2022

Now in its fifth year, UCL World Stroke Day Forum aims to empower stroke survivors to influence the future of stroke research at UCL. The forum, sponsored by The National Brain Appeal, encourages an open dialogue between researchers, clinicians, charities, stroke survivors, carers and loved ones.

For the first time, UCL World Stroke Day Forum 2022 was a hybrid event.

Crick Discovery Day June 2022
Patani Lab and Gandhi Lab joined a packed day of pop-up science fun! From exciting experiments and hands-on activities, to explosive science shows

Pint of Science festival 9-11th May 2022

including: ’Disappearing Morals: How Genetics Shape Our Minds’ and Our Body and Mind: Focusing on the 3Rs to replace, reduce and refine animal research

Dementia Demystified 31st March 2022

Organised by Dr Georgina Starling, a postdoctoral researcher, and Catherine Heffner, a PhD student, both based in Prof Adrian Isaacs’ lab (UK DRI at UCL) and funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI).
The event kicked off with short talks from Prof Jonathan Rohrer (UK DRI Clinical Co-investigator at UCL) and Prof Selina Wray (UK DRI Co-investigator at UCL), who gave an overview of the basics of dementia, with opportunities for audience members to ask questions.