The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain
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A workshop titled 'The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain' will be held at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre in the Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, Cambridge, on 26 October 2026 at 17:30.
Professor John Duncan FRS MRC - A.V. Hill Lecture
Our behaviour is characteristically organized in a hierarchical structure of goals and subgoals, with many fragments of behaviour contributing to an everyday activity such as making breakfast or attending a lecture. Such goal-directed structures are often impaired following major damage to the frontal lobes of the brain. I shall describe a core discovery of human brain imaging – a nine-patch network recruited for addressing a very broad range of cognitive challenges, based in frontal cortex but with additional components elsewhere. This network is strongly activated by a standard test of “fluid intelligence”, known to predict success in all kinds of activities and presumably requiring mental operations of very widespread importance. From human brain imaging, I shall move on to electrophysiology in the behaving monkey. In a network of frontal lobe regions, putatively homologous to regions of the human network, I shall show encoding of core components of a goal-directed plan – current state, goal, component moves and hierarchy. Damage to this network, I suggest, underlies the broad behavioural impairment that can follow frontal lobe damage.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of Bristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre, Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, (entrance to lecture theatre, adjacent to the Scott Polar Research Institute).
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Frequently asked questions
The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain takes place on Monday, 26 October 2026 at 17:30.
The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain is held at Bristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre, Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, (entrance to lecture theatre, adjacent to the Scott Polar Research Institute) in Cambridge (29 Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER).
Entry to The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain is free.
Yes — hotels within walking distance of Bristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre, Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, (entrance to lecture theatre, adjacent to the Scott Polar Research Institute) can be compared using the accommodation search further down this page.
Tickets for The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
Editorial summaryAbout this event
A workshop titled 'The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain' will be held at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre in the Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, Cambridge, on 26 October 2026 at 17:30.
This summary was automatically generated from event data sourced from official ticketing providers.
Professor John Duncan FRS MRC - A.V. Hill Lecture
Our behaviour is characteristically organized in a hierarchical structure of goals and subgoals, with many fragments of behaviour contributing to an everyday activity such as making breakfast or attending a lecture. Such goal-directed structures are often impaired following major damage to the frontal lobes of the brain. I shall describe a core discovery of human brain imaging – a nine-patch network recruited for addressing a very broad range of cognitive challenges, based in frontal cortex but with additional components elsewhere. This network is strongly activated by a standard test of “fluid intelligence”, known to predict success in all kinds of activities and presumably requiring mental operations of very widespread importance. From human brain imaging, I shall move on to electrophysiology in the behaving monkey. In a network of frontal lobe regions, putatively homologous to regions of the human network, I shall show encoding of core components of a goal-directed plan – current state, goal, component moves and hierarchy. Damage to this network, I suggest, underlies the broad behavioural impairment that can follow frontal lobe damage.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
StayStaying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of Bristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre, Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, (entrance to lecture theatre, adjacent to the Scott Polar Research Institute). Searching near 29 Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER; check-in Monday, 26 October 2026.
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WhereBristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre, Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, (entrance to lecture theatre, adjacent to the Scott Polar Research Institute)
Before you goFrequently asked questions
When is The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain?
The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain takes place on Monday, 26 October 2026 at 17:30.
Where is The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain taking place?
The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain is held at Bristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre, Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, (entrance to lecture theatre, adjacent to the Scott Polar Research Institute) in Cambridge (29 Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER).
How much are tickets for The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain?
Entry to The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain is free.
Is there anywhere to stay near The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain?
Yes — hotels within walking distance of Bristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre, Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, (entrance to lecture theatre, adjacent to the Scott Polar Research Institute) can be compared using the accommodation search further down this page.
How do I get tickets for The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain?
Tickets for The Organization of Goal-Directed Behaviour in the Brain can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
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