Sunderland Music City brings new sound to World Anatomy Day 2025

Published on 15, October, 2025

This World Anatomy Day, experts from the University of Sunderland celebrated the wonders of the human body with the public at a fun-filled, free event in the city centre.

Marking its third year, the University’s World Anatomy Day event had a musical twist to celebrate Sunderland’s status as a Music City alongside a range of activities hosted at the Fire Station.

On the day (12 October), the public learnt about how we speak and hear, as well as explored how listening to music just makes you feel good. During the event, experts were joined by special guests on stage, including Marty Longstaff of the Lake Poets, who demonstrated to the audience how everyone has a musical brain.

Marty said: “It’s been a roller coaster of a year for us as a newly accredited Music City, and we’re really honoured to work with the University on this very popular event. 

“Everyone is musical whether they know it or not, and music can change the way we feel, the way we act, and the way we think. Be prepared to laugh, learn and sing, and find out all about your secret musical brain.”

This event was run in partnership with experts from Teesside University, Durham University and Newcastle University who shared their expertise with a range of activities and demonstrations that were aimed for the whole family.

>

World Anatomy Day honours the work of Andreas Vesalius, the father of anatomy, and marks the anniversary of his death on 15 October 1564. The day is an occasion to celebrate the discipline of anatomy and to make countries around the world aware of its important role in training health science professionals.

Professor of Anatomy at the University of Sunderland’s School of Medicine, Debs Patten, said: “We had over 680 visitors through the doors of the Fire Station to celebrate World Anatomy Day with us. It is so rewarding to see so many smiling faces – young children and their families, students and our staff exploring the world of anatomy together.

“Being a music city is such a significant milestone for Sunderland, so we designed our activities this year to celebrate that. We’ll be back next year for another World Anatomy Day, and we can’t wait to do it all again.”

The event was open to all families of all ages, with a variety of stage shows, hands-on activities and demonstrations exploring the themes of:

• Your secret musical brain: How music lights up your brain
• Anatomy of a Superhero: a draw-along activity led by Nick Lewis, Senior Lecturer in Illustration at the University, where participants discuss the anatomy of their imagined superhero
• The anatomy of a smile
• Special senses: Use sensory equipment to explain the anatomy of how we hear the world around us
• Find the anatomical treasure: Hunt for anatomy using a medical imaging simulator
• Indiana Bones: Dig for bones and teeth with an archaeologist
• Funny Feet: Discover just how amazing your feet are and work out our ‘who dunnit’ from footprints