Inside the brain science of student belonging
A conference featuring neuroscientists and educators will explore how the brain's sense of belonging impacts student behavior and learning. Experts argue that fostering emotional safety is essential for academic engagement.
Why it matters
Understanding the neuroscience of education can lead to better classroom management and improved student outcomes.
As schools and education systems face growing pressure to improve attendance, behaviour and educational attainment, a growing body of research shows that early intervention can nip these issues in the bud before they have a chance to materialise.
On Wednesday 21 October 2026, a conference will bring educators and sector leaders together to discuss the neuroscience of belonging , behaviour, attendance, disengagement and re-engagement.
Facilitated by cognitive neuroscientist and former MIT researcher Dr Mark Williams OAM and Life Skills GO founder and CEO Nikki Bonus, conference - held in-person and virtually - will help educators better understand what is driving the outcomes they eventually see in attendance, behaviour and attainment data.
Dr Williams, a professor of cognitive neuroscience with 25 years in the field, said belonging, attention and emotion are deeply connected in the brain.
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