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7th Meeting of the 204th Session (2024-2025)
Professor Alan Gow
In the Augustine United Church
41 George IV Bridge
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EL
On Monday 28th April 2025, at 7pm
As we age, we may experience changes in our thinking skills. While there are characteristic trends in these changes, there is also variation between people in the timing and extent of this. From large-scale studies following people over the life course, lifestyle, behavioural and environmental factors associated with brain health have been identified including education and occupational factors, social, physical and mental engagement, and positive health behaviours. Each factor’s contribution to brain health might be individually small, directing attention towards their cumulative effect. Though identifying brain health promoting factors is important, a current priority is translating those into real-world interventions that might build or maintain brain health across the life course.
Alan’s research identifies the lifestyle factors that protect or harm the ageing brain. He focusses on modifiable factors including activity engagement and social connections, as these provide targets for intervention. He leads The Ageing Lab at Heriot-Watt University (https://healthyageing.hw.ac.uk/), and directs activities via wattAGE, the research network focussed on healthy ageing within the University’s Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies. Ensuring research has impact is a priority, and Alan has contributed to SAPEA’s “Transforming the Future of Ageing” report and the Global Council on Brain Health. Alan also leads various outreach activities sharing what we think benefits brain health, ranging from talks with older people’s groups, performances at festivals and science events, and media contributions. Those activities were recognised by the British Psychological Society Public Engagement and Media Award in 2016, and as one of two runners-up in the 2019 Nature Research Awards for Driving Global Impact.
If you do not wish to attend the lecture in person, it will also be simultaneously available by Zoom. Fellows on our mailing list will be sent details about a week before the meeting. Anyone else should email zoom@rssa.org.uk if they want to attend this event online.
Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits are served from about 6:40pm onwards before the meetings. Members of the Public are welcome to attend.
Mr Peter Jones, Secretary
secretary@rssa.org.uk
Telephone: 0131 622 0428