NEW in Toronto: The Biology of Human Connection

Brains and Barstools brings captivating professors to bars in Canada for vivid lectures that spark curiosity and connection over drinks. On November 23rd, we present : "The Hidden Biology of Humn Connection" by Prof. Elizabeth Page-Gould, PhD Have you ever felt completely in sync with someone? It turns out that connection may be more than a feeling. When we interact with other people, our bodies can begin to synchronize—our physiological responses can converge as we talk, laugh, cooperate, or navigate a social experience together. This phenomenon, known as physiological synchrony, offers a fascinating new way to understand what happens beneath the surface of human connection. In this talk, Prof. Elizabeth Page-Gould will introduce the science of physiological synchrony and explore what happens when two people’s bodies begin responding in tandem. How does this synchrony relate to the way we experience our relationships and social world? And what might it reveal about the biological foundations of connection? Drawing on research that combines physiological, behavioural, and subjective data from multiple people at once, this lecture offers a glimpse into the invisible processes unfolding between us every time we interact. 💡 About the impressive Professor Elizabeth Page-Gould Prof. Elizabeth Page-Gould is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto. Her research examines how interactions with friends and strangers shape individual thriving and intergroup solidarity in diverse societies, using physiological, behavioural, and subjective measures to understand social interactions. Her work has been recognized with the 2025 Career Trajectory Award from the Society for Experimental Social Psychology, the Gordon Allport Intergroup Relations Prize, the Ontario Early Researcher Award, and recognition as an APS Rising Star. She is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, the Society for Experimental Social Psychology, and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and served as Canada Research Chair in Social Psychophysiology from 2014–2025. 📅 Date: November 23, 2026 🕡 Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM 📍 Location: Chef's Hall 🎤 Speaker: Professor Elizabeth Page-Gould. Join us for an evening exploring the fascinating science happening between us, often without us even noticing. 🎟 Seats are limited!