Cognitive Conversations #2 – Under the Microscope: Art and Science as Intervention

‘Under the Microscope’ is the next episode in Cognitive Conversations, a series where we tackle the big questions in creativity and neuroscience. This conversation delves into the creative process, visual art and storytelling, the science of colour, environmental science, and so much more. This series is hosted and produced by Bianca Millroy, for Science Write Now. Meet our guestsDr Katerina Bryant is a writer based in Adelaide on Kaurna Land. Her first book, Hysteria: A Memoir of Illness, Strength and Women’s Stories Throughout History was published in 2020. Katerina completed her PhD, a hybrid memoir/biography of the first woman clown in America, in 2022. She is currently a South Australian Literary Fellow at the State Library of South Australia, working on a manuscript about women and chess. Visit Katerina’s website | @katerina_bryAshley Kalagian Blunt is a writer, speaker and podcaster based in Sydney on Gadigal Land of the Eora Nation. Her bestselling psychological thriller, Dark Mode, was shortlisted for the 2024 Ned Kelly Award and the ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year. She is the author of two previous books, How to Be Australian, a memoir, and My Name Is Revenge, a thriller novella and collected essays. Ashley is a frequent speaker and panel moderator, and co-hosts a podcast on writing, creativity and health. Visit Ashley’s website | Instagram | X | FacebookChelsea Hopkins-Allan is a visual artist based in Western Australia (Minang Noongar land). Chelsea started painting at 24 when she became unwell with a rare neurological and metabolic condition that went undiagnosed for the next 12 years. Her paintings began as something purely personal and functional in a difficult time when she could no longer work as an environmental scientist. Chelsea lives in Albany with her small rescue-parrot Opal and dog Django who keep her company while she paints. Visit Chelsea’s website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Enjoyed this episode? Share the SWN love!If you liked this episode, leave us a review and share it far and wide. Science Write Now is dedicated to accessibility, connectivity, inspiration and collaboration across disciplines. Our content is free to access and we want to keep it that way, so if you’re keen to be part of this growing community of creative writing inspired by science, hit subscribe!We’ll be back with another episode soon, and more conversations inspired by science and creativity to come!We acknowledge the Jaegara and Turrbal People, Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is created, and the unceded cultural lands on which our guests live and continue to make and tell stories.