“Brain Gain – Discovering the Neurosciences” is a science communication project that recently won funding from the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) and the Biochemical Society. This project is the result of collaboration between researchers and science communicators from three research centers at the University of Coimbra - the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), the Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC) and the Center of 20th Century Interdisciplinary Studies (CEIS20).
 
The main objective of this initiative is to “promote and enhance research in Neuroscience that is carried out in Portugal, and above all to inspire secondary and higher education students to pursue careers in this area - hence our “Brain Gain” concept” ” - explain the project coordinators , Catarina Seabra and Mariana Laranjo, CNC researchers.
 
In addition to Catarina Seabra and Mariana Laranjo, the project has a multidisciplinary collaboration of João Peça, Sara Amaral and Carolina Caetano, also CNC researchers, Daniel Ribeiro, science communicator at the Proaction Lab (CINEICC) and also Sílvio Santos, Director of the Department of Philosophy, Communication and Information (CEIS20).
 
This project was launched in March 2021 with a first online event that included presentations and debates with neuroscience professionals from across the country, with more than 800 enrolled students. The next online event will be dedicated to research carried out at the University of Coimbra and will take place during the Science and Technology week 2021, on the 24th of November. This event will be aimed especially at the academic community, but also at the general public.

Carolina Caetano