Memory

Memory is central to human experience; shaping our identity, guiding behaviour, and enabling learning and adaptation in a dynamic society. Through ongoing research, scientists are uncovering the mechanisms behind memory and its profound role in our lives. Advances in research and technology are now enabling us to explore memory mechanisms on unprecedented scales, and opening up new avenues for developing memory enhancement techniques and treatments for memory disorders. 
This series delves into the fascinating world of human memory. Each lecture will explore a distinct topic, including memory formation, storage and retrieval in the brain, how memory function changes over the lifespan, memory manipulation and enhancement techniques and how our memory mechanisms can give rise to memory distortions and illusions. Practical issues will also be addressed, such as the effects of aging on memory and strategies to enhance cognitive health. The lectures will bridge scientific discoveries with everyday experiences, offering fresh perspectives on our memory’s role in shaping who we are. 

The individual lectures
​1.  Memory Mechanisms in the Brain (Blokland / 13 March)

2.  Does Photographic Memory Exist? (Otgaar / 20 March)

3.  Memory in Space and Time (Van de Ven / 10 April)

4.  Memory Enhancement in Health and Disease (Blokland / 17 April)

5.  Memory of Traumatic Experiences (Otgaar / 24 April)

6.  Memory Manipulation and Prosthetics (Van de Ven / 8 May)

About the speakers
Prof. Arjan Blokland, Professor of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, UM
Prof. Henry Otgaar, Professor of Legal Psychology, UM and KU Leuven
Vincent van de Ven, PhD Associate Professor of Perception and Cognitive Neuroscience, UM