The Center is developing a series of educational initiatives preparing undergraduate students to explore how neuroscience intersects with ethics, culture, public policy, health, and the broader human experience.

These efforts provide a structured educational pathway for UCLA undergraduates gain interdisciplinary training in how basic and applied research on brain function can and must intersect with the broader human experience. They will prepare students to not only explore the ethical, cultural, social, and political dimensions of neuroscience, but also to cultivate the skills to communicate across disciplinary boundaries and to engage with local communities.

Led by Drs Stephanie White, Ashley Feinsinger, Felix Schweizer, and Aaron Panofsky, these efforts involve the development of three new courses:

• Introduction to Neuroscience & Society: introducing students to the various methods that generate knowledge about the human experience in the neurosciences, humanities, and social sciences.
• Neuroethics: introducing students to the conceptual frameworks necessary to critically practice and evaluate neuroscience as a moral and social practice.
• A public-facing capstone course: introducing students to science communication and public engagement.

We hope to unite these efforts into a proposal for a Minor in Neuroscience and Society, where students can choose from a wide range of interdisciplinary electives spanning Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, Public policy, Medical ethics, Psychology, Biology, Genetics, and Health disparities research.