From the moment they are born, babies begin an extraordinary journey — learning to sleep, feed, connect with others and make sense of the world around them. But how does this early experience shape the brain and the beginnings of consciousness?
This talk explores the powerful role of everyday experiences in helping build the brain’s networks and supporting a baby’s ability to regulate itself and engage with others, outlining how early relationships and biological rhythms work together to lay the foundations of the human mind.
Professor Topun Austin is a Consultant Neonatologist and Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge, Honorary Professor of Neurophotonics at University College London, and Senior Member at Robinson College. He has a broad range of interests in neonatal neuroscience from cerebrovascular physiology to sleep, consciousness and cognition in the developing brain.
Topun is the lead for neonatal neurocritical care in Cambridge, providing brain-orientated care for preterm and sick newborn infants. He is also a visiting fellow at Nanyang Technology University in Singapore, where he is collaborating on studies investigating mother-infant neural synchrony and early infant development.
Date & Time: 29/05/2026 at 18.00-19.00
Location: Lee Hall, Wolfson College Cambridge
The event is open to all and is free to attend – please book your place.
Further Information
Posted on 26/05/2026
