About
The Institute for the Future of the Mind
The 21st Century brings with it unprecedented opportunities and threats to the mind: an increasing prevalence of pervasive digital technologies, brain-computer interfacing, drugs, longer life spans and risk of neurodegeneration.
The key challenge addressed at the Institute for the Future of the Mind is to determine how we might harness these new technologies to maximise the potential of the mind at its most vulnerable: the young mind and the ageing mind.
The Institute for the Future of the Mind runs a programme of high-quality research, embracing a wide range of disciplines from the molecular and cellular to human systems and organisations. This cross-disciplinary research is unique at addressing issues at the interface between neuroscience, cognition and technology. Current research projects focus on the following areas:
The Young Mind
- Environmental effects on brain development
- Applying lessons from neuroscience to the classroom
The Ageing Mind
- identifying a surrogate marker for neurodegeneration
- developing novel therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
In addition to primary research the Institute has developed a network of influence in policy, education and civil society, enabling wide impact and outreach. The Institute acts as a hub, engaging politicians and other decision makers with the issues surrounding the use of technology and its interaction with the way that people think.
The Institute's director, Baroness Greenfield is professor of synaptic pharmacology at Oxford University, writer, broadcaster and award-winning science communicator.