Pub Yarns series popular with community

The success of the Pub Yarns series held by the Perron Institute in association with Meeting for Minds and the Cottesloe Beach Hotel may be followed up with a second series next year.

The initiative was designed to take neuroscience research topics into the community in an informal setting. Each of the three sessions held in the hotel’s Sunsets Room overlooking the ocean was well attended, the Q and A component drew plenty of questions from the floor and the feedback has been very positive.

The series wrapped up on 23 July with a presentation by Professor Lindy Fitzgerald, Head of Neurotrauma Research at the Perron Institute and Curtin University. Her talk was entitled One hit too many. Predicting recovery after concussion.’

Professor Anthony Akkari, Head of Motor Neurone Disease Genetics and Therapeutics Research was the first of the Perron Institute presenters in the series. He spoke about some of the current MND research and the possibilities for future treatments.

Emeritus Professor Alan Harvey’s talk on ‘Music, mental health and social harmony’ attracted a house of over one hundred people. Professor Harvey is a UWA neuroscientist and Chair of the Perron Institute Research Advisory Committee. He is also talented musician.

Our Pub Yarns partner, Meeting for Minds, is dedicated to research of the brain and disorders of the brain in partnership with people living with mental illness. Mental health advocate Keith Wilson AM, who is a Director of this international not for profit organisation said he was very encouraged by the level of community interest and felt the potential for a follow up series was well worth exploring.