Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs
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Brains in Crisis: Stress and Resilience in Syrian Refugee Children

Friday, April 8 –
Saturday, April 9, 2016

April 8: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; April 9: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Martinos Auditorium & Joukowsky Forum

Registration Required. Space at Joukowsky Forum Friday afternoon/Saturday is limited.

The theme of this year’s conference revolves around the current Syrian refugee crisis, and in particular its impact on brain development and mental health outcomes in young children. Our Brown-based team of interdisciplinary scholars connects scientists with anthropologists and historians, cognizant that understanding the cultural and historic context of the Middle East is paramount to any intervention success.

We have recently conducted field research on the current stressors faced by families and children in Jordan, and in particular at the Zaatari refugee camp. Our goal is to dedicate this conference to supporting their missions with the best and most cutting-edge science on the role of environmental influences on brain development and pathology, and how best to buffer these stressors in the broad service of protecting healthy brain development in this generation of children. We hope that in connecting the service providers directly with the science of stress, and in particular how best to buffer its effects, we are offering an invaluable service to a global crisis.

A collaborating between Middle East Studies, the Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, and the Brown Institute for Brain Science. 

More Information

Center for Middle East Studies

Please note:

This event will take place in two venues. Friday, March 8, all morning, at the Martinos Auditorium, Granoff Center.

As of 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8, and the morning of Saturday, March 9, the conference will continue at the Joukowsky Forum, Watson Institute.

The South Common Room at the Watson will be set up as an overflow room to which event proceedings will be simulcast.

There will be a closed session at the end of each day.