Half blue and half red background, with an image of a brain. Text reads: "Nu Rho Psi Annual Theme 2025-2026. Neuropolitics. Neuroscience and mental health at the intersection of politics, public policy, and advocacy." The Nu Rho Psi insignia is at the bottom

2025-2026 Annual Theme

The 2025 Annual Theme is Neuropolitics!

What is Neuropolitics? The Dana Foundation Career Network in Neuroscience & Society defines Neuropolitics as “a field of study that combines neuroscience and political science in order to better understand the decision-making process involved in political behavior and political decision-making. Why do we vote the way we vote? Why are current political systems structured the way they are? How does the way our brain processes information influence our political attitudes and beliefs?”

“Neuroscientists are impacted by politics at all stages of their career, whether it’s within the academic institution or in their personal lives. Neuropolitics was selected as the Annual Theme at the 2024 National Meeting, only weeks before the U.S. election. For the 2025-2026 Academic Year, the Society wanted to focus on the importance of understanding political decision making, and its direct and indirect impacts on perception, mental health, fear, survival responses, bias, funding, and the fabric of the institutions, communities, and world to which we belong.

We hope that, by analyzing the intersection of neuroscience and political science, members will feel empowered to utilize their unique strengths, interests, and understandings of Neuropolitics to (a) apply and disseminate information to the broader contexts of societies & structures they are part of, (b) get involved and enact change at the local, state, and federal levels in the ways that are meaningful to them, and (c) strengthen the importance of scientific communication and its various intersections.”

Sincerely,
Your 2024-2025 & 2025-2026 Nu Rho Psi National Councils

Chapter Guidance

Chapters may consider exploring programming that involves (a) neuroscience and mental health at the intersection of politics, public policy, and advocacy, (b) the neuroscience subspecialties of Neuropolitics, Neurolaw, and Neurosociology with a focus on political structures, political framework analysis, AND/OR (c) ways to advocate for neuroscience and mental health research, resources, and support at the local, state, and federal levels.

Ideas for chapter programming

The Society encourages accompanying programming with political analysis – we recommend Haymarket Books for a plethora of books and topics based in different aspects of political analysis.

If students are interested in further pursuing public policy or directly engaging in the political sphere, the Society encourages students to (a) utilize their institution’s course catalog to take a course in political science, public policy, or additional electives of interest, or (b) pursue internships and opportunities with your institution or with local, state, or federal policymakers, including student government opportunities.

Download our Neuropolitics Guide:

Neuropolitics GuideDownload
Blue and red background with faint images of neurons and a brain. The text reads: "Nu Rho Psi Annual Theme. Neuropolitics. Neuroscience & mental health at the intersection of politics, public policy, & advocacy". At the bottom is the Nu Rho Psi logo
Blue and red background with faint images of neurons. Heading: "Neuropolitics, definition". In the center is a textbox with a red, blue, and purple border. Within the text reads: "“Neuropolitics is a field of study that combines neuroscience and political science in order to better understand the decision-making process involved in political behavior and political decision-making. Why do we vote the way we vote? Why are current political systems structured the way they are? How does the way our brain processes information influence our political attitudes and beliefs?” - Dana Foundation Career Network in Neuroscience and Society" At the bottom is the Nu Rho Psi logo.
Blue and red background with faint images of neurons. Heading: "Neuropolitics, importance". In the center is a textbox with a red, blue, and purple border. Within the textbox reads: "“Neuropolitics was selected as the Annual Theme at the 2024 National Meeting, only weeks before the U.S. election. For the 2025-2026 Academic Year, the Society wanted to focus on the importance of understanding political decision making, and its direct and indirect impacts on perception, mental health, fear, survival responses, bias, funding, and the fabric of the institutions, communities, and world to which we belong. We hope that, by analyzing the intersection of neuroscience and political science, members will feel empowered to utilize their unique strengths, interests, and understandings of Neuropolitics to (a) apply and disseminate information to the broader contexts of societies & structures we are part of, (b) get involved and enact change at the local, state, and federal levels in the ways that are meaningful to them, and (c) strengthen the importance of scientific communication and its various intersections. ” At the bottom is the Nu Rho Psi logo.
Blue and red background with faint images of neurons. Heading: "Neuropolitics, guidance for chapters". In the center is a textbox with a red, blue, and purple border. Within the textbox reads: “Chapters may consider exploring programming that involves (a) neuroscience and mental health at the intersection of politics, public policy, and advocacy, (b) the neuroscience subspecialties of Neuropolitics, Neurolaw, and Neurosociology with a focus on political structures, political framework analysis, AND/OR (c) ways to advocate for neuroscience and mental health research, resources, and support at the local, state, and federal levels.” At the bottom is the Nu Rho Psi logo.
Blue and red background with faint images of neurons. Heading: "Neuropolitics, resources & programming ideas". In the center is a textbox with a red, blue, and purple border. Within the textbox reads: “ - Watch a lecture from UCI’s Center for Neuropolitics, and discuss as a group: "https://sites.uci.edu/centerforneuropolitics/" - Host a book or journal club around Neuropolitics - Your Brain is Built for Politics - TEDx Talk by Dr. Dan Schreiber: "https://youtu.be/Ati0x7x3T40?si=7h3QTK0ldY46ZapP" - Browse the Neuroethics Today website and find a piece of media of interest to discuss: "https://www.neuroethicstoday.com/" - Browse Dana’s Network x Society page on Neuroethics: "https://neuroxcareers.org/neuropolitics/" - Find media/resources from the above sub-specialties and organize a watch party/engagement meeting. - Co-host an event with on-campus clubs in political science, sociology, ethics, and law. The Society encourages accompanying programming with political analysis - we recommend Haymarket Books for a plethora of book resources based in different aspects of political analysis.” At the bottom is the Nu Rho Psi logo.
Blue and red background with faint images of neurons. Heading: "Neuropolitics, further directions". In the center is a textbox with a red, blue, and purple border. Within the textbox reads: “If you’re interested in further pursuing public policy or directly engaging in the political sphere, the Society encourages students to (a) utilize their institution’s course catalog to take a course in political science, public policy, or additional non-science electives of interest, or (b) pursue internships and opportunities with your institution and/or local, state, or federal policymakers, including student government opportunities.” At the bottom is the Nu Rho Psi logo.

Never heard of Neuropolitics? Attend our Annual Meeting on November 2nd for an exciting keynote lecture by neuropolitical scholar, Dr. Liya Yu, and find out what neuropolitics is in practice from somebody in the field! Registration link

Discover more from Nu Rho Psi

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Tara, National Communications Director

View posts by Tara, National Communications Director

You May Also Like

  1. gold background, at the top has the Nu Rho Psi logo. Heading: "Giveaway announcement Annual Nu Rho Psi meeting November 2 | 10:30 AM PST/1:30 PM EST" Subheading: "By attending the Annual Meeting, you will be entered into a raffle to receive a copy of Vulnerable Minds by our incredible keynote speaker, Dr. Liya Yu!" To the left is a QR code with the registration link, and text that reads "Register for the meeting here! Nu Rho Psi membership is not required to attend the meeting or for giveaway eligibility". To the right are two abstract blobs in black and pale yellow, with a photo of Vulnerable Minds and Dr. Liya Yu on top. Vulnerable Minds is a half red, half blue cover with neurons and white text that reads "Vulnerable Minds: The Neuropolitics of Divided Societies." In her photo, Dr. Yu has black hair, is wearing a black top, red lipstick, and glasses, and has one arm laying across a table, with the other upright and her hand on her chin. There's text that reads "Vulnerable Minds by Keynote Speaker, Dr. Liya Yu" and an arrow pointing towards her photo and book. At the bottom reads "You must be present in the chat at the time of the drawing to receive your copy."

    Giveaway announcement!

    October 26, 2025
Scroll to top

Discover more from Nu Rho Psi

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading