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Beginner's Mind - Infant Cognition and Childlike Visions

Year Awarded

2023

Amount

€51,817

  • Organisation:Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
  • Audience:General Public
  • Format:Non-formal Education
  • Location:Dublin, Online
  • Topic:STEAM

Project Summary

This year-long collaboration between the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and Irish artist Cian McLoughlin will use art to embed scientific ideas and methods in the minds of the public. Despite its global ranking as fourth in the world, Irish neuroscience often remains inaccessible to non-specialists. To challenge this perception, this collaboration will explore the “Foundations of Cognition,” FOUNDCOG, a TCIN project investigating brain function in infants will use state of the art neuroimaging. Through a new series of artworks, the project will provide a unique and immersive entry point to neuroscience and neuropsychology for the public.

The collaboration will yield several outcomes. Every stage of the process, from initial explorations to the creation of artworks, will be documented and shared. McLoughlin’s artworks will delve into the connections between art and neuroscience, focusing on perception, subjectivity, and neural activity. By uncovering how infants perceive the world, the project enables adults to gain their own interpretation and understanding. The artworks will offer transcendent visual experiences, drawing inspiration from the lab’s research and findings. Additionally, four short films will chronicle McLoughlin’s journey of discovery, guiding the uninitiated public through the fascinating work in the lab.

The ultimate goal is to inspire deeper exploration among young parents and others. By integrating art and data visualisation, the project aims to enhance the viewer’s comprehension of neuroscience, infant development, and Ireland’s pioneering research. This endeavour seeks to raise public awareness about the importance of Irish STEM fields and encourage engagement from previously disengaged parties.

Evaluation Findings

Challenges:
Challenge 1: Making neuroscience accessible to the public.
Cause: Scientific language and abstract theories are hard for general audiences to grasp.
Solution: Used artworks, interactive events, and short films to present research in a visually engaging and relatable way.

Challenge 2: Balancing artistic expression with scientific accuracy.
Cause: Artists and scientists approach content differently-subjective vs. objective.
Solution: Held regular meetings to align creative outputs with research findings and ensure scientific validity.

Challenge 3: Sustaining audience interest beyond the project.
Cause: Public engagement often fades after initial exhibitions and media coverage.
Solution: Created online content and educational resources to extend reach; ongoing international collaboration aims to build on the project.

Challenge 4: Navigating the steep learning curve in neuroscience.
Cause: Complex terminology and data visualization were initially difficult for the artist to understand.
Solution: Support from the Cusack lab team helped bridge the knowledge gap through clear communication and contextual explanations.

Findings:
1. The project attracted a diverse audience and exceeded expectations for exhibition attendance and online engagement.
2. It effectively integrated neuroscience and art, with accurate scientific content and emotionally engaging visualisations.
3. Educational workshops, including at Dublin Maker, improved student understanding of brain function, cognition, and computer modelling.
4. The project demonstrated long-term impact, with institutions expressing interest in permanent use and digital resources continuing to engage audiences.
5. It inspired new interdisciplinary collaborations, showing strong potential for sustained influence.
6. Suggestions for improvement included more interactive elements and expanded outreach to underserved communities.
7. The evaluation confirmed the project’s success in bridging neuroscience and public understanding through art, with clear educational and engagement value.

Learnings:
1. The year-long collaboration between an artist and neuroscientists revealed the value and complexity of interdisciplinary work.
2. Clear communication and mutual understanding were essential in bridging artistic and scientific approaches, turning differences into opportunities for innovation.
3. Artistic interpretation proved powerful in making complex neuroscience concepts accessible and emotionally resonant for public audiences.
4. Balancing scientific accuracy with creative freedom required ongoing dialogue, but ultimately enriched both the research and the artistic output.
5. Audience feedback confirmed that the collaboration deepened understanding and engagement, especially among those unfamiliar with neuroscience.
6. Future projects could benefit from structured residencies or fellowships to support sustained interdisciplinary exchange.
7. The collaboration demonstrated the transformative potential of art-science partnerships in advancing public engagement and new ways of thinking.