Who We Are
BrainWaves is a major response to a growing youth mental health crisis, in planning since early 2020 by a group of leading academics, educationalists and philanthropists.
The mission is to build the evidence base to ensure schools become more effective environments for developing wellbeing in adolescence.
We are led by experts at the University of Oxford – an acknowledged global leader in mental health research and large, longitudinal health studies which follows participants over several years.
What We Will Do
At the heart of this long-term programme is the creation of a new research platform which will combine data from different sources, including one of the largest-ever cohort studies of adolescents. The BrainWaves platform will increase in value over time as it provides a sophisticated framework for future research in areas such as genetics, neuroscience and at-scale therapeutic interventions.
BrainWaves will open a new chapter on adolescent mental health and wellbeing by:
- Launching a new, rolling research cohort from a diverse group of UK secondary schools to enhance the evidence base in adolescent mental health
- Giving researchers in the UK and globally free access to vital data assets, enabling new insights into prevention and treatment
- Providing cutting-edge, evidence-backed educational resources for teachers and students
- Designing effective therapeutic interventions 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 the BrainWaves Development Board and the project is advised by the BrainWaves Expert Advisory Council and the BrainWaves Young Persons Advisory Group.
