Thought Leaders
A Foundation for the future: How the Medical Research Foundation is looking long-term in its medical research funding
The Medical Research Foundation (the Medical Research Council’s charitable foundation) believes that investing in long-term research projects – research that will not just be valuable now but also beneficial later – is the key to effective medical advancement. The Foundation steps in to fund the most promising health research that will make the biggest difference, filling gaps left by institutions […]
Psychedelic psychotherapy: The answer to addiction?
The use of psychedelics as a tool to aid psychotherapy is controversial, even in 2020. But some psychiatrists think psychedelics could be used effectively and safely to enhance the treatment of patients with a range of mental health issues. Consultant psychiatrist Ben Sessa is one such doctor, and he has been conducting research and gathering evidence in this area since […]
Nesta: Collective intelligence, people-powered results and experimentation
The world is changing faster than ever, and solutions to the challenges faced by governments, the health and public sectors and educational institutions need to be innovative and inventive to match. At the Nesta foundation, experts are using research-based evidence to come up with frameworks and programmes to support those people trying to solve some of Europe’s trickiest public conundrums. […]
Better together: How a multidisciplinary team is seeking new ways to tackle cognitive problems in MS patients
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary between patients, and can range from fatigue and muscle stiffness to problems with vision and walking. Cognitive problems are relatively common among MS patients, affecting 40-60% of sufferers. These problems, which can include memory loss and difficulty multitasking, can have a significant impact on a person’s […]
Spacial matters: Fostering a new community of planetary knowledge and expertise
Planetary science is the scientific study of how planetary systems are formed and how their components (planets, moons and gas systems) interact with one another. Planetary science can help us answer scientific and philosophical questions such as how our Solar System came into being, where life came from, and what are the necessary conditions for life to exist elsewhere. A […]
Meningitis: The battle to defeat the disease
Meningitis and septicaemia are deadly diseases that strike without warning. Meningitis is the swelling of the meninges, which is the lining around the brain and spinal cord, caused mainly by bacteria entering the body. Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same bacteria that can cause meningitis. Collectively, meningitis and neonatal sepsis are the second biggest infectious killers of children […]
European Citizen Science Association: How citizen science is changing the face of research
The European Citizen Science Association was set up six years ago in the hope of engaging people and organisations across Europe to take part in citizen science projects and research, providing support, resources and a network of like-minded people. That influence has now gone global, and the association is engaging not just scientists and citizens, but NGOs and policymakers too. Scientific […]
Football data intelligence: It’s in the game
SciSports is a world-leading provider of groundbreaking football data intelligence. Their machine-learning algorithm provides actionable data to professional football organisations, football players, media and entertainment to help them stay one step ahead of the game. Here, Giels Brouwer, Founder & Chief Innovation Officer of SciSports, explains how his company originated from his love of the game Football Manager, and how […]
Smashing assumptions: Supporting and celebrating female scientists and technologists
Science and Technology in Australia (STA) are one of many organisations who have recognised the difficulties women can face in the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). With the pressure of stereotypes and the need for more female role models, more needs to be done to incubate and acknowledge the talent of women. According to research from the United Nations […]
Putting Primary Science on the Agenda: The Primary Science Education Conference 2019
Between the 6th-8th June, Research Outreach attended the Primary Science Education Conference (PSEC), which was organised by the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT). Over three days, leaders in primary science education gave a diverse and fascinating range of talks, seminars and practical workshops about work in their field, aiming to provide teachers in attendance with the chance to learn new […]