Scientific Chronicles @ Talking Brains (CiBB x UC Exploratório)

Overview

Project Summary

As a center of excellence in scientific research on the brain in central Portugal and throughout the country, in 2025 the CiBB accepted the challenge set by UC Exploratório - Centro Ciência Viva da Universidade de Coimbra (UC Exploratory - University of Coimbra's Science Center) to write and publish articles in the media on one of the most remarkable abilities of this human organ: language.

At the heart of this partnership was the exhibition Talking Brains — Programmed to Talk, funded by the “la Caixa” Foundation and on display at UC Exploratório between March 2025 and February 2026. The exhibition focused on language and its distinctive character in the human species, fundamental in communication, thought, knowledge construction, and the relationship between the brain and society.

Motivated by the Talking Brains exhibition, the partnership with UC Exploratório promoted an interdisciplinary approach to the relationship between the brain and language. In line with various areas of research developed at CiBB, it motivated eight CiBB researchers to write fortnightly opinion articles for the newspaper Campeão das Províncias, published from September 2025 to January 2026.

These texts build bridges between the scientific research carried out at CiBB and the exhibition and ensure public access to specialized and up-to-date scientific knowledge, in an example of fruitful collaboration between research, the media, and society, promoting informed, accessible, and relevant reflection for the non-specialized public.

Main Goals

Regular participation in media represents an opportunity to:

• Disseminate research carried out at CiBB to broader audiences;
• Contribute to informed public debate, bringing science and society closer together;
• Value science communication as an integral part of scientific activity;
• Promote scientific literacy, stimulating interest in topics related to the brain, language, and biomedicine.

Project Details