The Science of Illusions: ESRC Social Science Festival 2019
event Festival Fri 8 Nov 2019, 10:00 – 15:00
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Queen Street
Exeter EX4 3RX
The Science of Illusions: What can illusions tell us about how we perceive the world?
As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2019, join Dr Gavin Buckingham, senior lecturer in sensorimotor control at the University of Exeter for an event that explores illusions.
We use our senses of sight, hearing and touch to interact with our environment. But how does our brain make sense of all this incoming information? At this event, Gavin will describe the ways in which a variety of different illusions deceive our senses of sight, sound and touch; demonstrating how our brain uses these senses to build a ‘scaffold’ to help us experience the world around us. Through fun, interactive activities, attendees will also examine some surprising ways in which our ability to control our movements is separate from our experience of the world around us. After the presentation, the audience will have the opportunity to interact with, and discuss a range of illusions.
Light refreshments will be provided. The event is free however places are limited so please book a place here.
About the ESRC Festival of Social Science
The ESRC Festival of Social Science is a celebration of the social sciences. It began life in 2002 as Social Science Week - a collection of around 25 events, mainly seminars aimed towards an academic audience. Over the years Social Science Week has grown to a much larger and more inclusive 'festival' of activities, aimed at policymakers, business, the public and young people.
The festival offers a fascinating insight into some of the country's leading social science research and how it influences our social, economic and political lives - both now and in the future.