National Core for Neuroethics, University of British Columbia

In celebration of Brain Awareness Week, Neuroethics Canada (formerly known as National Core for Neuroethics) at the University of British Columbia was honored to host a series of lectures and seminars featuring Prof. Jennifer A. Chandler, LLM (Bertram Loeb Research Chair and Professor, Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa). These events also marked the 10th anniversary of the Core since its establishment in 2007, and the 10th Dana BAW Distinguished Neuroethics at UBC. Prof. Chandler presented on “Medical Aid in Dying in Canada – Where are we and where are we going?” to an audience of more than 300, with international commentaries from EDAB Member Dr. Hervé Chneiweiss, MD, PhD (Université Sorbonne, Paris, France) and DABI Member Dr. Joseph J. Fins, MD, MACP (Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA) at the Vancouver Public Library. Prof. Chandler was also a featured speaker for the Neuroscience Grand Rounds at the Vancouver General Hospital to discuss “The Legal Legacy of the Lobotomy – Updating the Legal Approach to Psychosurgery in the Age of Psychiatric Deep Brain Stimulation”, and held an engaging seminar at the Core together with Neuroethics faculty, researchers, trainees, and guests from the public to discuss “Biological Psychiatry – Impact on the Law”.

In addition to spreading awareness about research in Neuroethics in the local, national, international and online community, the yearly BAW campaign gives the community a chance to learn and become more aware about cutting edge brain research, its social implications, important brain health concerns and what is currently being done to address these issues. It provides the opportunity for professionals and researchers to share their recent findings and to interact with those who are impacted most

We suggest that organizers plan well in advance (6-9 months) and execute a sound communications campaign plan. Make sure to tag Dana Foundation’s/Brain Awareness Week and sponsors social media accounts in posts to maximize online exposure. It also helps to mention speaker and institution accounts in the posts for dissemination in the announcement. Awareness of free, heavily visited community calendar pages and local event/lifestyle blogs also boosts the campaign strategy. A registration platform where people may RSVP for the event is useful to plan for attendance and catering. Given that the event is public and free, we estimate a 20% drop out. If using Eventbrite, take advantage of the free Facebook integration feature as this allows attendees to share and reserve tickets directly from their Facebook feed. It also helps to inform attendees a few days before the event what they can expect at the venue (for example: parking information, what time doors will open, if seats general admission, if food will be served, what they need to bring to check in at the event, etc.) On the day of the event itself, make sure event posters and signs are highly visible for attendees. These also attract drop-in attendees. If available, we recommend having volunteer staff for registration and general information – not only does this make the event look more professional, but having staff to welcome attendees also opens the opportunity to build a relationship with community members, and to talk about what Brain Awareness Week is. Consider videoconferencing or video recording options for audiences who are not able to attend the event. Explore different options (via online form, social media channels, index cards, etc) on how you wish to receive questions for the speakers from the audience. As for photography, create a list of moments you would like to capture throughout the event to make sure you don’t miss important event highlights.

This year’s BAW’s Facebook posts were helpful and easily shareable to promote Brain Awareness Week, in general, and our own BAW events. The BAW Sticker Design contest was also a good opportunity to gain readership for both BAW’s and our own Facebook pages, and to help boost awareness early on about the week-long celebration for March.