Event(s) Summary
Number of Events Organized During Brain Awareness Week:
4
Year:
2022
Type of Events Held:
- Online/Virtual
- School Program
- Social Media Campaign
Target Audiences:
- General Public
- High school students (9-12)
- K-12 Teachers
- Middle school students (6-8)
- University students
Approximate Number of People Reached:
The campaign virtually reached more than 2,025,508 users online across platforms
Details of Major Brain Awareness Week Events/Activities:
This year, the NYUAD CGSB organized several activities during Brain Awarness Week:
• Multilingual Facts – Instagram Series:
To celebrate the diversity in our research groups, we shared daily brain facts in 8 different languages: English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Croatian, Malay, and Hindi. The campaign aimed reached 965,946 people on Instagram with 66 saves and 29 shares.
• TikTok on the Brain – Video Series:
The ‘Neural Systems’ research groups created exciting, entertaining, and educational videos for the general public, targeting the young generation. Eleven videos were created, and generated more than 10,500 views on TikTok and Instagram Reels.
• Science Autocomplete Series: Neuroscientist Answers Your Most Searched Questions – YouTube Video:
The video launched a series of videos titled ‘Science Autocomplete Series’ that allow scientists to answer some of the most searched questions in their fields. Dr. Dipesh Chaudhury, NYU Abu Dhabi Assistant Professor of Biology, was our guest and answered many questions such as: why are our brains symmetrical? Is stress a feeling? And how can our circadian rhythms affect our eating habits?
• A day with Scientists: Claude Desplan Lab – School Session:
NYUAD CGSB scientists virtually visited the WellSpring School in Ras Al Khaimah and introduced 21 students from grade 9 to the Brain Research done at the Center.
Dr. Rana El-Danaf (Research Scientist) and Paola De la Garza (Research Assistant) dived into the world of the fruit fly brain. Meanwhile, Dr. Ligia Cota Vieira (Research Scientist) took the students on a journey to explore the red palm weevil brain.
Event Planning & Publicity
Publicity Methods Used:
- Social Media
Which of These Publicity Methods Was The Most Successful?
Feedback & Keys to Success
How do you feel BAW participation benefited your organization and the local community?
Our campaign generated a lot of attention especially with the number of views, shares and comments that we received in our social media campaign. Additionally, during our school virtual visit, the students were very engaged and asked many questions showing their interest in the subject. When we surveyed the students at the end of our event, many reported that they enjoyed the event and that they would be interested in participating in similar events in the future.
Please share any suggestions or lessons learned that may help others plan future events:
The collaboration of different researchers from various backgrounds and knowledge is key for creating a successful campaign.
