About Us

Cognitive neuroscience is concerned with understanding the essential functions of the human mind – such as perception, language, memory, attention, and decision-making – as they apply in both health and pathology using cutting-edge methods such as brain imaging, electrical and magnetic recordings of neural activity, and brain stimulation.  The British Association of Cognitive Neuroscience (BACN) is a leading focal point for researchers in the field at all stages in their career.  We promote awareness and discussion of the latest research findings and research methodologies in cognitive neuroscience through our annual conference, and we reward outstanding talent in the field through our Early and Mid-Career Prizes.  More generally, our mission is to promote research in cognitive neuroscience for the benefit of society. 

We have a distinguished history. We were founded in 1973 as the British Psychophysiological Society (BPPS), and became BACN in 2005.

Annual Meeting: Edinburgh, 11-12 September 2025 @ University of Edinburgh

Message from the President

Welcome to our website and our association!  Whether you are new to the field or an old-hand, we hope that you will consider getting involved.  You can follow us on Twitter (@bacn_uk) or Bluesky (@bacn.co.uk).  The UK is home to some of the leading research in cognitive neuroscience in the world, and I am proud to be able to serve this community as President of BACN (which some people call “bacon”!).

Professor Jamie Ward, University of Sussex.

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Researching one of the last major frontiers in science - the human brain - is both a rewarding and challenging experience. For latest news on positions, please check out: @CogNeuroJobs

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