Curious Minds "Sleep: Why We Need It and Why We're Losing It" by Dr. Emma Gale, St. Andrews University

A public science talk by Dr. Emma Gale of St Andrews University exploring the science of sleep, its effects on health across the lifespan, and whether sleep should be a public health priority.

Dr. Emma Gale from the University of St Andrews delivers this Curious Minds talk for the Perthshire Society of Natural Science, examining what happens when we sleep and why sleep changes across childhood, adolescence and adulthood. She discusses how sleep influences children's health, development, learning and wellbeing, plus its wider impact on physical health, mental wellbeing, memory and obesity. The talk separates common myths from scientific evidence and considers whether sleep should be treated as a public health priority, with practical insights into supporting healthier sleep at any age. Running time is approximately 90 minutes.