A team led by WIN's Director, Heidi Johansen-Berg, with colleagues Holly Bridge (Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences), Carinne Piekema (WIN Public Engagement Manager), and external partners including Oxford United FC, Oxford City FC, and Football Beyond Borders, has won a University of Oxford 'Enriching Engagement' grant funding award. 'Enriching Engagement' is a pilot grants programme open to Wellcome grant holders at Oxford, to develop and deliver public engagement with research projects.
Heidi's team was awarded £218,545 - the largest single award ever made by the scheme - for their project to investigate brain changes that occur during learning and consolidation, and test whether modifying activity in the sleeping brain can boost learning and rehabilitation. The team will be working with partner football coaches to embed neuroscience theory into training, help students improve their (football) skill learning, and help football fans to better understand and look after their brain health. The project will run until 2026.