Held over two days (27–28 June), NeuroFest 2026 brought together researchers from medicine, science, engineering, social sciences, and arts and humanities to showcase the breadth of neuroscience research taking place at the University. Through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages explored the remarkable complexity of the human brain and learned how research is improving our understanding of the nervous system.
From the role of artificial intelligence in dementia detection to cutting-edge approaches for treating chronic pain and Motor Neuron Disease (MND), the festival showcased how neuroscience research at Sheffield is helping to improve lives and tackle some of today’s most pressing health challenges.
Visitors also had the chance to meet Furhat, a social robot that researchers use to study human communication, and discover how innovative diagnostic tools are helping clinicians identify neurological conditions earlier and more accurately.
"It was absolutely wonderful to welcome so many visitors to the Winter Garden at Sheffield for NeuroFest 2026. Public engagement is at the very core of what we do at the Neuroscience Institute. Events like this give us a fantastic opportunity to step out of the lab and share our world-leading research directly with the community".
"By breaking down complex brain science into interactive experiences, we hope to inspire the public and foster meaningful conversations about discoveries that will ultimately transform lives and improve brain health" said Professor Walter Marcotti, Co-director of the Neuroscience Institute.
Other highlights from across the weekend included:
- All About Ears: exploring how we hear and why hearing loss develops.
- Brain Stimulation Breakthroughs: demonstrating how mild electrical stimulation could support people living with Motor Neuron Disease (MND).
- Conquering Chronic Pain: showcasing innovative technologies used to diagnose and treat severe facial pain.
- Decoding Pain: revealing how pain signals are generated and processed by the brain.
- Mapping Brain Diseases: highlighting how researchers model neurodegenerative diseases to better understand and combat them.
- The Secret Life of Cells: taking visitors on a journey through the microscopic world inside our bodies.
- The Sound of Sleep: examining the fascinating relationship between music, sleep and brain function.
NeuroFest 2026 forms part of the University of Sheffield's commitment to sharing its world-leading research with the wider community and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
The Neuroscience Institute looks forward to welcoming the public to future events as it continues to advance understanding of the brain and translate discoveries into real-world impact.