©
NDCN
The Football on the Brain team are working with partner football coaches to embed neuroscience theory into training, help students improve their (football) skill learning, and help football fans to better understand and look after their brain health.
After a very successful session in 2023, this was the team's second visit to Meeting Minds in Oxford to share their research with Oxford University alumni and their families.
The event kicked off with a lecture on neuroscience and football from team members Professor Heidi Johansen-Berg, Professor Holly Bridge and Louise Aukland. They spoke about the scientific and educational remits of the project and answered some very insightful audience questions.
Then it was time to show the research in action! Dozens of attendees braved the rain to head outdoors to the Green Templeton College grounds and try out the team's activities. This included kicking goals with vision-distortion goggles and learning to pass balls while blindfolded, all with support from Oxford University Association Football Club.
Football on the Brain is a four-year public engagement project involving researchers and football communities understanding more about how our brains are involved in football. In the last few months the team has brought football and neuroscience activities to various events including the Leys Festival, University of Oxford SDG Impact Lab secondary school student visits and the ENS Science Fair in Paris.
Find out more about the programme at https://footballonthebrain.uk/