Book launch & in conversation with Dr Mark Williams

Dr Mark Williams will be in conversation with Associate Professor Stephanie Goodhew from ANU School of Medicine and Psychology, on his new book, The Connected Species: How understanding the evolution of the human brain can help you re-connect with the world.

About the Book

Human beings have succeeded as the most dominant species on earth in large part due to our ability to connect and cooperate, and to innovate through collaboration and specialisation. This has fine-tuned our unconscious perception of faces, facial expressions, body language and touch. This unconscious drive to connect can draw us together, but it also emphasizes the differences between groups. And it is getting worse, as overcrowding, technology, and the media often focus us on our differences. We become more and more divided into groups as a result. Mark shows us how to recapture the drive for connection to help us look past our differences and reconnect, even with those we perceive to be outside our groups. He starts by discussing the human brain’s specialisation for connection and how it evolved. He focuses on how connection works in practice, then explores the negative consequences of our drive for connection. He ends with a positive perspective by examining how we can use our drive for connection to expand our in-group and extend multicultural societies for the good of our planet.

About The Author

Mark A. Williams, PhD, is a professor of cognitive neuroscience with over 25 years’ experience conducting behavioural and brain imaging research. Mark has published more than 70 scientific articles and received numerous high-profile fellowships and grants. He has made many TV and radio appearances to discuss topics including emotions, technology, education, racism, and even why we can’t tickle ourselves. His research has been featured in outlets globally including The New York Times, The Economist, The Guardian and New Scientist.

About the Event

• Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
• Registration is required for this event.
• Accessible parking spaces directly below the Harry Hartog ANU Bookshop are available should you require them. Kambri ANU / Parking
• If you do not feel well, please refrain from attending this event.
• Disability Access available - please ask in-store.