Research and innovation at UCL Brain Sciences
Discover how our research themes, centres and impact shape the future of brain sciences.
Neurodegeneration and neuroprotection
Our research into neurodegenerative disease has a strong focus on understanding processes which underlie major neurological disorders.
Sensory systems
Our research aims to transform understanding of the mechanisms underlying function and dysfunction in sensory systems.
Understanding and influencing behaviour
Our research into the behavioural and cognitive sciences looks at understanding complex behaviours of individuals and groups.
Dementia: a UCL priority
Learn about the incredible dementia research at UCL, how our neuroscience experts work to improve lives globally and explore our Dementia MSc programme.
Mental health
Our research into mental health combines initiatives between basic neuroscience, clinical and epidemiological psychiatry and clinical psychology to address the global challenge of mental health
REF 2021
The impacts of UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences research on the wider world have been recognised in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
Our people and opportunities
Meet the researchers, students and future leaders driving innovation and discovery.
Research strengths
Explore our research themes: neurodegeneration and neuroprotection; mental health; understanding and influencing behaviour; and sensory systems.
Research centres and domains
Learn more about the many platforms for cross-collaborative, interdisciplinary research within the Faculty, across UCL and beyond.
Innovation and enterprise
Read case studies about how we're partnering with industry.
Postgraduate research
Find out more about our cross-disciplinary research training and the broad range of expertise and facilities we offer across our institutes and divisions.
Early career researchers
A collection of resources and information on training opportunities and networks to support our community of early career researchers.
Women in Science
Staff and students from across the Faculty of Brain Sciences discuss what inspires them.
Most influential researchers
16 of our Faculty’s professors are named as being among the most influential academics in the world.
We are home to a Nobel Prizewinner (James Rothman) and three of our professors (Ray Dolan, John Hardy and Bart De Strooper) won the Brain Prize, the world's most valuable prize for brain research, for their groundbreaking research on the genetic and molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease. Sir Demis Hassabis, a Faculty alumnus and DeepMind cofounder, was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Our impact
How the brain predicts the future
New research suggests that memory actively shapes how we see and interpret the world around us, and how we make predictions about the future.
09 Jul 2026
UCL PALS lecturer named FENS-Kavli Scholar
Dr Megan A. K. Peters, Lecturer in the UCL PALS Department of Experimental Psychology, has been named a 2026 FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence Scholar.
07 Jul 2026
UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology 75th Anniversary Symposium
A celebration of 75 years of real-world global patient impact.
06 Jul 2026