TALK: Friday Talk with Alan Harvey

Alan Harvey was educated at the University of Cambridge and Australian National University. He has been at UWA since 1984. His laboratory interests are in brain development, neuro-trauma and neuro-therapy, research primarily focussed on the visual system and spinal cord. He is, however, also passionate about music and is in the process of writing a book about the role of music in human evolution and modern-day society.

In this presentation, Alan will consider why music is a universal attribute and why we possess this communication system side-by-side with language. He argues that music is core, not peripheral, aspect of human behaviour. Music fosters cooperation and promotes social cohesion, critically important for human survival and our individual sense of mental well-being.