UCC Futures Lecture Series: Renowned science communicator discusses the importance of engaging with the public

15 Sep 2026

All staff across University College Cork are warmly invited to attend the next seminar of the UCC Futures Lecture Series, a new platform designed to spark interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration across our research and teaching communities.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Ben Rein, a world-leading neuroscientist at Stanford University and a renowned science communicator. To a social media audience of over 1 million followers, Dr. Rein regularly shares his expertise in neuroscience through educational videos and articles, to make science clearer and more accessible.

This event aims to bring together colleagues from across disciplines across the University. We particularly encourage researchers and staff interested in science communications to join the conversation.

Who is Dr. Ben Rein

Ben Rein is a neuroscientist, author, and science communicator. He is an Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University, Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY Buffalo, Chief Science Officer of the Mind Science Foundation, and Chief Science & Strategy Officer at Off Script Society.

Dr. Rein has spent over a decade studying the neuroscience of social interactions, uncovering new information about the genetic basis of autism spectrum disorder, how connections between brain cells regulate social behaviour, and how the psychoactive drug MDMA enhances empathy and connectedness between individuals. He is the author of the Penguin Random House book Why Brains Need Friends.

Outside of the laboratory, Dr. Rein educates an audience of more than 1 million social media followers about neuroscience. His videos have been featured on Good Morning America and ABC News among other major media outlets. Dr. Rein leads science communication workshops at multiple universities including Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, UT Dallas, and the University of Minnesota, and his public messaging has been recognised with awards from the Society for Neuroscience, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Stanford University.

What will this seminar focus on?

In today's world, science is unnecessarily disconnected from society as a result of paywalls, jargon, and a lack of channels for dialogue with the public. This inaccessibility feeds public distrust in science and diminishes awareness. To address this gap, Dr. Rein began sharing short educational science videos on TikTok in April of 2020. In this presentation, he will speak about the importance of making science clearer and more accessible for the public, and how he does it.

When and where is this event happening?

This event will take place at 4pm on Thursday 24th September, in Kane Building G18. All are welcome to attend.

RSVP your attendance

If you are interested in attending in-person, RSVP to the event using this form.

Will it be streamed online?

This lecture series will be streamed live and be available at the following link from 4pm on September 24th.