The Science of Attention in the Age of Distraction

Our brain is constantly making rapid, often unconscious decisions about what to focus on. This happens in a split second, often before we even realise we've been pulled away. The need to allocate our attention efficiently is increasingly in conflict with our modern environment: from email and app notifications to intrusive advertising, multitasking has become a fundamental part of our daily routine.

This event explores the neuroscience behind attention and distraction. We will look at why it is sometimes so difficult to return to a task once we have been interrupted. We will discuss how the brain allocates its most precious resource, and how a better understanding of attentional processes can help us fight distraction. We’ll examine why the wandering mind is more purposeful than it seems, and what digital technology is genuinely doing to our capacity to concentrate.

 We will also look at what the science tells us about focus and flow states. The goal is to provide practical ways to understand your attention in a world often structured to disrupt it. 

Please note:

• Due to the nature of the subject matter, this event is unsuitable for under-18s.
• This event will close to enrolments at 23:59 on 27 January 2027.