Being part of Neurolive as an EEG Research Assistant has been an inspiring and eye-opening experience. Neurolive is a unique interdisciplinary research collaboration that brings together artists, scientists, and audiences to explore what makes live experiences so special. From dance and theatre to music performances and even political rallies or university lectures, the project investigates the essence of “liveness” — what sets live events apart from recorded or streamed ones.
My Role and Experience
In my role, I was responsible for:
- Setting up EEG headsets on participants
- Ensuring the data we collected was accurate and of high quality
- Guiding participants through the EEG setup process
- Troubleshooting technical challenges during data acquisition
This hands-on work gave me a front-row seat to the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and art. It was incredible to witness how brain activity could be measured in real-time during live performances, capturing the subtle neural connections between performers and spectators.
Collaboration Between Art and Science
What made Neurolive truly special was the collaborative environment:
- Scientists and artists worked side by side, each bringing their expertise
- Artistic research shaped the design of psychological experiments
- Scientific insights influenced choreography and performance creation
This blend of disciplines highlighted how different ways of knowing can come together to deepen our understanding of human experience.
Relevance in Today’s World
The project’s timing couldn’t be more relevant. The global pandemic has dramatically changed how we experience “liveness,” with many events moving online or being postponed. Neurolive’s research helps us understand these shifts, offering insights into how live experiences can be quantified through behavioral, physiological, and neural measures.
For me, this experience has:
- Strengthened my passion for developmental neuroscience and neurotechnology
- Deepened my skills in EEG data collection and participant engagement
- Reinforced my commitment to research that bridges science and real-world human experiences
If you’re curious about how neuroscience can illuminate the magic of live moments, Neurolive is a project worth following. It’s a powerful reminder that science and art together can reveal the hidden rhythms that connect us all.