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College of Communications and Fine Arts Dean to Serve on Inaugural NAN Network

UofM's Burns asked to join Global NeuroArts Academic Network to advance arts, health and wellbeing

 
University of Memphis Communication and Fine Arts Dean, Dr. Debra Burns, has been invited to join the inaugural cohort of the NeuroArts Academic Network (NAN), a newly launched global coalition of academic institutions dedicated to advancing the emerging field of NeuroArts—the study of how the arts and aesthetic experiences affect the brain, body, and behavior to improve health and wellbeing.
 
The Network is part of the broader NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative, a global effort launched in 2019 by the Aspen Institute’s Health, Medicine & Society Program and the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University. The Initiative aims to establish NeuroArts as a recognized field of research, practice, and policy, bridging the arts and sciences in service of human flourishing.
 
In 2021, the Initiative released the NeuroArts Blueprint: Advancing the Science of Arts, Health, and Wellbeing, outlining a five-year strategy and long-term vision based on five core goals:
 
  • Strengthening the research foundation of NeuroArts
  • Honoring and supporting arts practices that promote wellbeing
  • Expanding educational and career pathways
  • Advocating for sustainable funding and effective policy
  • Building capacity, leadership, and communication strategies
 
With a focus on expanding educational and career pathways, the new NeuroArts Academic Network will connect and empower academic institutions already engaged in NeuroArts research and teaching—or interested in developing new programs in the field.
 
Recognizing Burns’ leadership and interdisciplinary strengths in this area, the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative invited her to serve as a founding member of the Network and contribute to its Working Group, helping to shape NAN’s strategic priorities and co-design its activities.
 
The goals of the Network include fostering interdisciplinary research, developing robust training programs, and identifying best practices for implementing NeuroArts initiatives across institutions. By building capacity and rigor, the Network aims to lay the foundation for a sustainable and impactful NeuroArts ecosystem.
 
Amid rapid change and challenges in higher education, the NeuroArts Academic Network represents a timely opportunity to bridge disciplines, enhance human-centered research, and position the arts as a vital tool for health and wellbeing Burns is ready to join this important effort and contribute to advancing a new frontier in the science of arts and health.