Did you know we spend approximately one third of our life asleep, yet sleep remains one of science’s biggest enigmas?
As part of TechFest 2018, consultant psychiatrist, Dr Olga Runcie will present the latest advances in sleep neurobiology research and explain how sleep helps us make memories and boosts our creativity and immunity.
Dr Runcie, a general adult mental health practitioner at NHS Tayside and honorary lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, will highlight the importance of sleep in Why do we Sleep? at the university on Thursday, September 13.
TechFest 2018, the North-east’s annual festival of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), will run until September 22.
Dr Runcie, who also works at Albyn Hospital and ROC clinic in Aberdeen, specialises in treating insomnia and sleeping disorders with cognitive behavioural therapy, and provides support to people whose mental health has been impacted by a sleep disorder.
Dr Runcie said, “I have been attending TechFest every year with my family, but this is my first time presenting at the festival and I’m excited to talk to the public about a topic I feel so passionate about.
“I want to help the audience understand that sleep is not a waste of time and we should be making it a priority in our busy lives. I’ll try to support people on how to do this by sharing tips on how to improve and optimise your sleep.”
Sarah Chew, managing director of TechFest said: “We spend a big part of our lives sleeping, but many of us don’t appreciate just how important sleep is in maintaining good health.
“In why do we sleep? Dr Runcie explains how we can better understand our sleeping patterns and the impact they have on our day to day lives which is something I’m sure many people will be interested in hearing about.
“This event highlights the diversity of presentations and events on offer at TechFest 2018 and the varied roles and sectors that rely on fundamental STEM skills.”
One of the main aims of TechFest 2018, which is supported by joint principal funders BP and Shell, is to engage young people in the four main STEM subjects and encourage them to go on to follow a career which utilises these skills by demonstrating that they are both fun and relevant in day to day life.
Highlights of this year’s festival include Aberdeenshire singer songwriter Jenny Sturgeon performing tracks from her critically acclaimed album ‘The Wren And The Salt Air’ as part of Jenny Sturgeon Trio, science magician and associate of the world renowned Inner Magic Circle Dr Matt Pritchard exploring the history, conflict and collaboration between scientists and magicians in Wonder Workers and Cbeebies presenter Lizzie Daly using experiments and demos to show some of the most bizarre survival strategies the natural world has to offer in Wild Adaptations.
The festival will close with a talk from author, commentator and ex-professional cyclist, Graeme Obree. In Graeme Obree the ‘Flying Scotsman’, the athlete will share his story of breaking a world record using a homemade bike and talk about his decades of cycling and competition experience.
Sarah added: “None of this would be possible without the help we receive from our sponsors and supporters, in particular our joint principal funders Shell and BP, whose continued backing allows us to engage people of all ages in the fantastic opportunities that STEM can offer.”
TechFest’s public programme, sponsored by Equinor, is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across Aberdeen City and Shire until September 22. To view the public programme, please visit www.techfest.org.uk
