Brain Health and Ageing: Building the Next Social and Economic Frontier

​Event Description

As populations age globally, brain health is emerging as one of the most defining challenges—and opportunities—of our time. Yet it is still too often treated as a narrow health issue, rather than a platform for broader social and economic change.

This session explores brain health across the life course, from prevention and early intervention to ageing and caregiving. How do we move from fragmented approaches toward integrated systems that support cognitive, emotional, and social wellbeing at scale?

We will examine the rise of the brain health economy—and what it means to invest in solutions that improve quality of life while reducing long-term societal costs. The conversation will also highlight the often overlooked role of caregivers, whose support underpins healthy ageing but remains undervalued and under-resourced.

Bringing together leaders from health, policy, and innovation, this session will focus on how to position brain health as a core pillar of resilient societies, shaping how we design systems for ageing populations in the decades ahead.

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​Speakers

• ​Dominic Campbell is Cultural Producer at Independent, advancing creative approaches to ageing, neuroscience, and collaboration for social transformation.

• ​Laura Booi is a Senior Atlantic Fellow with the Global Brain Health Institute, advancing global brain health and equity through research, public engagement, and advocacy.

• ​Wambui Karanja is Project Manager at Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, leading initiatives in dementia care, advocacy, and risk reduction.

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Discussion Questions
Why should brain health be seen as a platform for social and economic change?
What does a functioning “brain health economy” look like in practice?
How can systems better support healthy ageing and those who provide care?
What investments and policies are needed to prepare for ageing populations globally?

​Location & access
Accessibility matters deeply to us, and we do our best to choose spaces that reflect that. That said, some of our Oxford venues are in historic buildings without lifts. This room is unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users, those with mobility challenges, or anyone needing step-free access.