How do the gut and brain speak? Nerves continually communicate between gut and brain. They are the ‘crossroads’ of human bodies. But how does this feel?

This arts-science hands-on workshop - led by medical artist Emily Fong and medical humanities researchers Dr Paige Donaghy and Dr Jacinthe Flore - will engage a public audience in imagining how the gut and the brain chatter through nerves, sensations, and emotions.

Through serious play with a range of materials and modalities, the audience will explore embodied moods, experiences, and the mystery of bodies beyond medicalisation, as a community.

18+ participants only.

What to expect:

A three-hour hands-on arts-science workshop using creative play, materials and collaborative body mapping.

This workshop is part of a series, held over two separate dates and please note that the second session is a repeat - follow the below link for information on the other session.

Nerves speak, too: crosstalk in the gut-brain axis - 12 November

Being Human 2026

This project was produced in collaboration with the 2026 Being Human Festival. Founded in the UK as the only national festival of the humanities, Being Human is now a global celebration dedicated to demonstrating the breadth, diversity and vitality of the humanities.

View the full Festival program here.

Image: Apple Brain or Fruiting Body

Collage, Emily Fong, 2026. Image courtesy of the artist.

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