What is BrainWaves?
BrainWaves is a major response to a growing number of young people experiencing mental health concerns. It is led by a group of academics, educationalists and philanthropists.
We focus on evidence-based, multi-sectoral resources to:
- Aid researchers to discover more about the adolescent brain
- Equip schools and educational professionals with evidence-based resources to effectively care for young people’s wellbeing
- Support young people to better understand their wellbeing and mental health
BrainWaves provides a platform for scientific studies to build on the evidence base and develop educational material for the classroom. Our mission is to equip schools with the resources and tools to effectively nurture mental wellbeing amongst young pupils.
Experts at the University of Oxford – an acknowledged global leader in mental health research and large, longitudinal health studies – are creating a cohort of young people from today’s school students and will be following them over several years, providing a unique insight into the adolescent brain and mental health.
What We Do
BrainWaves is a new chapter in adolescent mental health and wellbeing.
We have started working on our long term programme which will combine data from different sources captured from one of the largest cohort studies on adolescents.
BrainWaves will grow into a sophisticated framework over the next 10 years enabling us to venture into genetics, neuroscience and at-scale 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
- Provide evidence-based educational resources for teachers and students
- Effective 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 Swansea University and The Day News & Media Ltd, the leading publisher of news and critical literacy content for secondary schools.
It operates on a corporative model with an Executive group chaired by Professor John Gallacher, and is accountable to the BrainWaves Oversight Board. Strategic development and funding are driven by a Development Board and advised by a Young People’s Advisory Group.
