Amazing Brain Science Talks: 2024 Call for Speakers

Background

The Amazing Brain Science Talks is an annual event hosted by HBHL, which aims to share information brain health information with the public. This program supports researchers to don their scientific communication hats and share scientific findings with the public in an engaging, TED-talk style presentation.

In addition to an actively engaged in-person audience, last year’s Amazing Brain Science Talks YouTube videos have been viewed more than 28,000 times.

Timeline

Program Objectives 

• Disseminate engaging, insightful and empowering information about brain health to the public

• Support researchers to improve their science communication skills 

Relevant Topics 

Content of the talk is open to the applicant’s discretion but must: 

• Be on a topic related to their own brain-health-based research or lived experience;

• Fit within one or both of the two themes (i.e., the amazing brain or tips and tricks for a healthy brain—additional details below); and

• Be of interest to a public audience.

Event Details and Time Commitments  

The Amazing Brain Science Talks will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the PHI Centre in Montreal (407 Rue Saint-Pierre, Montreal, Quebec). There will be a mandatory rehearsal onsite on Thursday, October 17, 2024 (time to be confirmed). There will also be two virtual training sessions of one hour each before the main event (dates will be arranged according to the speakers’ availability). All applicants must commit to attending the main event and the rehearsal in person in Montreal, as well as the two virtual training sessions.  

Talk Details  

Talks will be a maximum of 12 minutes and may be given in English or French. Visual aids (such as slides) are permitted but not required.  

The Amazing Brain Science Talks will consist of two themes: 

i) The Amazing Brain: Topics that showcase the brain's incredible capacity for top performance in a range of activities. Examples: Music and the brain, top-speed decision-making in sports, the powers of brain plasticity. 

ii) Tips and tricks for a healthy brain: Topics that provide recommendations on how to improve brain health and wellness. Talks should provide useful advice for the public. Examples: Lifestyle changes that can improve or safeguard brain health, improving mental health, safeguarding child brain health, maximizing brain health over the life course.

Please note: The event will be recorded (audio and video) and made publicly available online after the event. 

Additional Information 

The spirit of this event is to engage and inform the public on the amazing power of the brain and to provide a lay audience with useful information on how to safeguard and maximize their brain and mental health based on the latest evidence and/or from a speaker’s lived experience.  

The presentation (and completed application form) should be in plain (non-scientific) language and be on a topic related to the applicant’s expertise based on their research focus and/or lived experience.  

The content of the talk, while remaining within the specific expertise of the applicant, is not restricted to the applicant’s own research and can draw upon findings in the field with the emphasis being on what is of most interest to a public audience. The focus should be on findings, outcomes and big picture impact and not the granularity of the research process.  

The talk should make obvious what is unique and exciting about the findings, what makes this information interesting, why the public should be paying attention, how these findings affect real people and what kind of lasting impact they may have on the lives of people in Canada and beyond. Tell us why we should care and how you can empower us with your information. 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

Evidence shows that increasing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation and creativity. HBHL is committed to excellence through equity and encourages applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups. 

At the time of submission, all applicants must complete the HBHL equity self-identification form, which includes a 'prefer not to answer' option for each question. 

Eligibility 

This opportunity is open to: 

• McGill University-affiliated researchers in the field of neuroscience or brain health and

• Researchers in the field of neuroscience or brain health at one of HBHL’s CFREF partner institutions (i.e., Western University, Université de Montréal, University of British Columbia or Polytechnique Montréal)

Submission Instructions  

Complete HBHL’s Application Form to apply to be a speaker at the Amazing Brain Science Talks. The Application Form must be submitted as a PDF document and sent via email to cora.siebert [at] mcgill.ca with the Subject Line “Amazing Brain Submission” by July 23, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. 

This application process includes two phases: an Application Form and a Video Submission. Following the Application Form review, top-ranked applications will be invited to proceed to the Video Submission stage. These applicants will submit a three-minute video that is an abbreviated version of what is planned for the full presentation, touching on key points.

Please note that we do not expect a formal polished video. The objective of the video submission stage is to get a better sense of the topic and the applicant as a communicator. After this stage, selected applicants will receive coaching to support them in giving a more polished talk at the in-person event (and for the subsequent YouTube posting).  

IMPORTANT: A Complete phase-one application must include a completed PDF application form (submitted by e-mail) as well as the completion of the HBHL equity self-identification form (completed online).

Review Process 

All applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria: 

Confidentiality and Ownership 

HBHL will keep all materials submitted for this opportunity confidential and only share them with reviewers and observers who have signed confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. 

Contact Information 

For more information, or if you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact cora.siebert [at] mcgill.ca.  We are also seeking recommendations for speakers with lived experience in brain health. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you know of any individuals who could provide valuable insights.