Coimbra hosts the opening of International Brain Awareness Week in Portugal with a talk on music, emotions, and the brain
On March 11th, from 11 am to 1pm, UC Exploratório – Centro Ciência Viva da Universidade de Coimbra will host the opening session of the activities for international Brain Awareness Week 2026 in Portugal. The session will consist of a round table discussion, a musical interlude and a cocktail reception.
In line with the international theme of the week, The Plasticity of the Brain, the session Music, emotions, and the brain: how do we change throughout our lives? will feature several experts sharing and discussing brain plasticity and how it determines emotions, behaviors, cognition, and artistic expression. The session will be opened by the president of the Portuguese Society for Neuroscience (SPN), Tiago Gil Oliveira.
The discussion will feature the researcher at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology at the University of Coimbra (CNC-UC/CiBB), who specializes in emotions, Mónica Santos; the researcher at ProAction Lab, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC) and Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (FPCEUC), who also investigates the role of sound and hearing in the brain, Joana Sayal; music therapist at the Coimbra Hospital and University Center - Pediatric Hospital, Jorge Felício; and clinical psychologist, music therapist, and representative of the Portuguese Association of Music Therapy, Teresa Leite. The session will be moderated by Catarina Ribeiro, press officer for Research at the UC Communication and Marketing Division.
International Brain Awareness Week is an international initiative that runs from March 16 to 22, 2026, and is promoted annually by the Dana Foundation and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS). In Portugal, it is promoted by SPN and Ciência Viva.
In addition to the opening session, throughout the month of March, neuroscientists will visit schools—from preschools to senior universities—where they will promote lectures, debates, games, and practical activities.
The opening session of International Brain Awareness Week in Portugal is promoted by SPN, together with CNC-UC/CiBB, Proaction Lab, and UC Exploratório. The event is free of charge, subject to registration using this form.
