Skip navigation

How do we think, move and feel? Exploring the Central Nervous System


This is a Medicine Subject Spotlight with Dr Stephen Hughes from Anglia Ruskin University. An interactive, cinematic course taster experience to allow students to gain insights into what it's like to study Medicine.

Take this Subject Spotlight to...

In this fascinating Subject Spotlight, join Dr Stephen Hughes as he explores the anatomy and functions of the system that allows us to think, move and feel: the Central Nervous System. Stephen begins by introducing the core components of the Central Nervous System: the brain, the spinal cord, and grey and white matter. He then explores the functions of the Central Nervous System, and how it controls our thought and behaviour, seeing and hearing, and moving and sensing. Stephen then takes a deep dive into the anatomy of the spinal cord, and its role in our reflex reactions. Finally, Stephen gets you to test your own reflexes in real time! He demonstrates how to do a safe knee-jerk reflex test, and shows how it can also be augmented and controlled. To conclude, he reflects on how essential reflexes are, both in our daily lives and in clinical settings. 

About Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin University is an innovative global university with students from 185 countries at our campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough and Writtle. These students are at the heart of our University, and we're delighted that our final-year undergraduates are positive about their educational experience. Our community is also incredibly important to us, and we're proud of the role we play in our cities and the wider region – including the positive effect on jobs and the local economy. It is this impact that helped us become the THE University of the Year 2023, a prestigious award that recognises our success in delivering high impact projects focused on the difference we make in the region and communities where we’re based as well as the contributions our students and graduates make to society.

Meet the academics

Dr Stephen Hughes

Dr Stephen Hughes is a Senior Lecturer in Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University’s Chelmsford campus. He is also a practising consultant in emergency medicine. He qualified from St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in 1990 and spent over 30 years as a doctor, during which time he served as a consultant in the British Army. He currently teaches anatomy, physiology, and medicine and also undertakes research into respiratory rate measurement.

In every Subject Spotlight you'll find

On-demand interactive video content

Sign up, log in, and access a wide range of potentially life-changing Subject Spotlight experiences that will help you make informed decisions about your university future.

Remarkable & relatable academics

Learn from some of the UK's finest and most decorated academics as they give you a genuine, insightful, and engaging experience of studying their courses at their universities.

Interactive quizzes and activities

Have a go at fascinating interactive quizzes and activities, then get meaningful and intuitive feedback from the academics to see how you've done.

Content to enhance students university applications

Hear direct from the academics what's expected of you in your university application, and the things you can do to improve your chances of getting on the course you most desire!

Certificate of completion

You'll receive a certificate of completion to evidence your learning - why not add this to your CV and university applications to show your dedication to your future pathway!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Subject Spotlight?

Subject Spotlights fuse education and entertainment to bring you the new way of researching your university options.

Entirely free and available on-demand, you can choose to engage with the content in the way that best suits you - whether that's in bite-sized chunks or in binge-sessions!

Why should I check out Subject Spotlights?

Get a real, representative impression of what pursuing a subject at university is actually like, so that you can make the right decision for you.

Stand out from the competition by completing a Subject Spotlight to gain the most relevant references and evidence for your personal statement.

Who is this Spotlight for?

This subject spotlight is made for students aged 16 and above, that are considering applying to University, particularly to study the subject in the title, or similar areas.

How should I talk about completing a Subject Spotlight on my UCAS application?

Completing a Subject Spotlight shows the university you're applying to that you've taken time outside of school to engage with relevant content.

The easiest way to include it would be to briefly mention one or two things you learned from it and how/why those learnings have furthered your desire to study the subject. We don't want to prescribe an answer because it's your personal statement but this is a good starting point!