First N-CODE Stakeholder-Led Study Group

Study Groups are a well-established method to seed new collaborations between stakeholders and academia, leading to unexpected new insight and outcomes, such as publications, patents and significant onward funding to develop partnerships.

Four challenges of unmet need have been selected and these will be presented to the full group on the first morning. Participants then divide into self-selecting teams to focus on tackling the challenge utilising a hackathon style approach.

The group work occupies most of the time throughout the rest of the week, and the challenge proposers usually stay in the groups, to answer questions and be involved in the discussions. Around the midpoint of the event, each group will present their progress so far, and raise any outstanding problems. This provides an opportunity for others to provide input and may motive some people to swap groups. Finally, on the last morning, each group provides a longer presentation on the work their group has done to scope out a solution to the challenge, to receive feedback on how the idea can be taken forward.

The event is being organised by N-CODE, an EPSRC-funded Network Plus, based at the University of Birmingham. The event will be chaired by Professor John Terry, University of Birmingham who is the PI of N-CODE.

To contact N-CODE, please email the Network Manager, Dr Rebecca Ward, at ncode@contacts.bham.ac.uk. Locally, the event is supported by the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, liaising with the venue. 

The 4 challenges of unmet need to be investigated are:

1. Can data from smart watches predict when seizures will occur? Nominated by Neuronostics Ltd
2. Non-invasive brain-computer-interfaces for remote rehab and training of motor skills. Nominated by Dr Anna Sadnicka, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Dr Katja Kornysheva, Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham
3. Technology to reduce loneliness in people with dementia: digital and distance interactions. Nominated by Dr Merryn Anderson, Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Professor Louise Allan Anderson, University of Exeter
4. Hope at Home: Digital diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Nominated by Dr Richard Laugharne, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Rohit Shankar, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Christopher James, University of Warwick.

We anticipate that the solutions to the challenges of unmet need will be in the field of digital health, or other home-based neurotechnologies using approaches built around neural interfacing, signal processing, machine learning and mathematical modelling as enabling technologies. Therefore, we are seeking a blend of research skills spanning design thinking, bioengineering and neurofeedback, mathematical modelling, signal processing, natural language processing, user interfaces and engagement, brain-computer interfaces, digital health, machine learning, product innovation, app development, behaviour change, wearable technology and human centred design. We would also welcome applications from individuals with clinical experience in the challenge areas of dementia, epilepsy, PTSD and rehabilitation of motor skills. This list is not designed to be exhaustive and we welcome applicants from any area that could provide novel insights and perspectives to these challenges.

Yes, we welcome researchers and practitioners from any relevant organisation to the event.

The Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Bedruthan, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, TR8 4BU. 

Monday 20^th March (dinner) – Friday 24^th March (close by lunch) 2023

The hotel is in Mawgan Porth, a small Cornish village found in the quiet fringes between Newquay and Padstow on the beautiful Cornish coast.

Attendees will travel to Cornwall on Monday 20^th March. Dinner will be available at the Bedruthan Hotel.

The event will formally start on the morning of Tuesday 21^st March. Four challenges of unmet need have been selected and these will be presented to the full group on Tuesday morning.  Participants then divide into self-selecting teams to focus on tackling the challenge of most interest utilising a hackathon-style approach working in groups in partnership with the challenge presenters.

The group work occupies most of the time throughout the rest of the week, and the challenge proposers typically stay with the groups, to answer questions and be involved in the discussions.

Around the midpoint of the event: late Wednesday afternoon, each group will present their progress so far and raise any outstanding problems. This provides an opportunity for others to provide input and may motive some people to swap groups.

Finally, on the morning of Friday 24^th March, each group provides a longer more detailed presentation on the work their group has done to scope out a solution to the challenge, and how this can be taken forward. At the end of the Study Group, each group prepares a summary of the work done during the week and will be invited to subsequently submit an application for pump-prime funding from N-CODE.

We request a contribution towards events cost of £50 for graduate students and £100 for all other attendees. This includes accommodation and breakfast for 4 nights (if required), as well as refreshments, lunch and dinner during the event. On confirmation of your place at the event, we will need to know if you require accommodation/ breakfast and dinner, as well as ask for any dietary requirements.

Information is available on the hotel website here: https://www.bedruthan.com/find-us

Participants need to arrange their own travel to the hotel.

Successful applicants will be notified by 1^st March and asked to confirm their attendance and make payment through the University of Birmingham Online Shop.

Yes. Our event will also combine the principal of a sandpit and make funding available in the immediate aftermath to enable promising ideas to be pump primed rapidly. Project teams will be invited to submit proposals to N-CODE for follow on pump-priming funding of up to £35,000 per project. This pump-priming funding will enable development of pilot data or prototypes suitable for publication and application for onward funding.  

Collaborative teams will agree a principal investigator (PI) and co-investigators (Co-I). PIs need to be based within an organisation eligible to receive UKRI funding. The University of Birmingham will establish a collaborative research contract with the PI’s host institution which enable the transfer of the funding necessary for the project, based on UKRI terms and conditions. It will be the responsibility of the PI to co-ordinate any additional contracts with Co-Is and their institutions.

IP will be assigned and managed as per EPSRC terms and conditions.