About Us
Better adolescent mental health
BrainWaves is a registered charity bringing research and education together to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people. We combine a large, national research cohort with evidence-based resources for schools, creating a shared foundation for discovery, learning, and real-world impact.
By connecting scientists, educators, and young people, BrainWaves is building the evidence needed to better understand the adolescent brain and to translate that knowledge into meaningful support for schools and students.
A unique research foundation
BrainWaves research is founded on a large, longitudinal cohort of young people recruited through UK secondary schools. Developed and led by experts at the University of Oxford, a global leader in mental health research and population studies, the cohort will follow young people over several years.
This design provides:
- Rich, longitudinal insight into adolescent mental health and development
- Opportunities to explore biological, psychological, social, and educational influences together
- A shared data resource that supports high-quality, reproducible science
Data generated through BrainWaves will be made available to researchers in the UK and internationally, supporting discovery across disciplines and accelerating progress in prevention and intervention.
From evidence to impact in schools
BrainWaves is not research in isolation. A central aim of the programme is to ensure that new knowledge meaningfully supports schools, teachers, and students.
Working with educators and young people, BrainWaves develops resources that:
- Translate research evidence into classroom-ready wellbeing learning
- Support schools to take a proactive, informed approach to student wellbeing
- Help young people better understand their mental health and develop practical skills
This creates a continuous feedback loop between research and education, strengthening both.