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Welcome to the CBU

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The MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (CBU) is an internationally leading centre for research in the cognitive sciences and neurosciences, with close links to clinical neuroscience research in the University of Cambridge Medical School. Over 120 scientists, students, and support staff, primarily based at the Unit's Chaucer Rd site, are organised into four major research groupings, in the areas of Memory, Attention, Emotion, and Language. With dedicated 3T MRI (Siemens TIM Trio) and 306-channel MEG (Elekta-Neuromag) facilities available on site, the Unit has particular strengths in the application of neuro-imaging techniques in the context of well-developed neuro-cognitive theory. More about the Unit ...

Help us with our research

Research at the CBU is dependent on members of the public who volunteer to take part in our studies. If you would like to help us (and earn some money), read about our volunteer panel. We welcome volunteers of all ages.

Latest news

  • November 2009: The Barbara Wilson Centre for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation

    BW centre, EcuadorBWilsonBarbara Wilson has recently returned from Quito, Ecuador where she was visiting the centre named after her, the "Dra Barbara Wilson Centre for Neuropsychologiical Rehabilitation". Barbara gave a talk at the centre, ran a three day course for the students (studying for Masters degrees in neuropsychological rehabilitation) and spent an evening with families of people with brain injury. After retiring from the CBU last year, Barbara has continued her work around the world, and recently also spoke at our Women in Science symposium, held here at the CBU, in October.

  • October 2009: Women in Science Symposium at CBU

  • wis09We are proud to have recently hosted our first Women in Science Symposium on Wednesday 28th of October in the CBU Lecture Theatre. The event, which was motivated by the idea that women in science must support and encourage one another, was organised by the CBU's newly formed Equality Committee. The symposium celebrated and showcased women senior scientists who have at some point been associated with the CBU. A packed lecture theatre enjoyed speakers sharing experiences of particular challenges they have faced as women, strategies they have developed to overcome these, insights into things they might have done differently, and suggestions on how to balance family life and career. Speakers included Susan Gathercole, Dorothy Bishop, Anne Cutler, Bundy Mackintosh, Nilli Lavie, Sophie Scott, Karalyn Patterson, Barbara Wilson, Elisabeth Hill, Kim Graham, and Vicki Bruce, as well as Jenny Brookman, chair of the Cambridge AWiSe network. Each speaker had an incredible and unique story to tell, with several themes emerging through the day. These included the tremendous value of practical and emotional support in one's professional and personal life, the beneficial aspects of cultivating self-confidence and the courage to take risks, and the importance of inspirational role models and/or mentors at key stages in one's career. There was general consensus that all women in science, irrespective of stage of career, serve as role models for those who are more junior, and with this comes a certain level of responsibility. It was also emphasized that it is important to be aware of the gender schemas that we all have and how these can undervalue women's contributions to science and disadvantage women from advancing to senior positions. The event was a great success with many asking for it to be repeated annually.

    The full report on the day can be found here.

  • October 2009: Adrian Owen on BBC HorizonAdrian

  • One of the CBU's experts on consciousness, Dr Adrian Owen, appeared on the BBC Horizon program this week (Tuesday 20th October), talking about his work with vegetative state (VS) patients. In a program with Professor Marcus du Sautoy, titled 'The Secret You', Adrian describes research that shows how brain imaging can be used to detect awareness in VS patients. The program went on to feature collaborative research between the CBU, the Division of Anaesthesia and Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre at Addenbrooke's Hospital which uses similar methods to detect changes in awareness during sedation and anaesthesia. This program is available to watch on the BBC iplayer for the next month:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nhv56#p004tzs3

  • October 2009: Applications open for 2010 PhD positions

    Applications are now being accepted for our three-year PhD positions, starting in October 2010. Full details on current research topics and potential supervisors are given on our website, and details on how to apply are given in our Postgraduate Study pages. We offer three fully funded MRC studentships for UK/EU candidates, and also welcome independently funded applicants. Students are registered with the University of Cambridge, and enjoy full college membership, as well as a wide range of university benefits. Here at the CBSU we offer in-house MEG, fMRI and EEG facilities, purpose-built behavioural testing laboratories, a broad panel of volunteers and superb computing, administrative and technical support, plus a lovely working environment.