What is BrainWaves?
When evidence of a growing youth mental health crisis began to emerge in 2020, a group of leading academics, educationalists and philanthropists got together and agreed urgent action was needed. BrainWaves is their response.
It is an evidence-based, multi-sectoral initiative focused on
- equipping scientists to discover more about the adolescent brain;
- enabling schools and education professionals to have the tools to teach and manage good mental health in schools
- helping young people to know and understand their mental health and wellbeing better.
The concept is simple. BrainWaves is creating a platform for scientific studies. These studies form the evidence base behind BrainWaves teaching support and classroom materials. The mission is to help schools become highly effective at nurturing wellbeing amongst their adolescent students.
Experts at the University of Oxford – an acknowledged global leader in mental health research and large, longitudinal health studies – will be following a cohort of young people over several years, providing a unique insight into the adolescent brain and mental health.
What We Will Do
BrainWaves is a new chapter in adolescent mental health and wellbeing.
At the heart of this long-term programme is a new research platform. It will combine data from different sources and include one of the largest-ever cohort studies of adolescents.
The BrainWaves platform will grow in value over time. It will be a sophisticated framework for future research into genetics, neuroscience and at-scale therapeutic interventions.
- There will be a new, rolling research cohort from a diverse group of UK secondary schools. It will provide a crucial evidence base about adolescent mental health
- Researchers in the UK and globally will have free access to vital data assets, enabling new insights into prevention and treatment
- There are cutting-edge, evidence-backed educational resources for teachers and students
- Effective therapeutic interventions will be designed focused on what’s best for young people
Our work will lead to better prevention, education and treatment in adolescent mental health and wellbeing – backed by the best and newest scientific evidence.
Our Organisation
BrainWaves is a long-term research and education collaboration between the University of Oxford (a registered charity), the University of Swansea and The Day News & Media Ltd, the leading publisher of news and critical literacy content for secondary schools.
BrainWaves is run through a Scientific Steering Group, chaired by Professor John Gallacher, which is accountable to the BrainWaves Oversight Board. Strategic development and funding are driven by a Development Board and the project is advised by an Expert Advisory Council and its Young Persons Advisory Group.
