Co-designed public and patient involvement (PPI) work with Sheffield’s Israac Community Centre, focused on developing more inclusive neurotechnology, has been featured in the EPSRC Healthcare Technologies Newsletter.

Led by Dr Dan Blackburn and Dr Mahnaz Arvaneh, both NIHR Sheffield BRC investigators, the project represents a key collaboration between NIHR infrastructures, the University of Sheffield and community groups. Working in partnership with the Israac Community Centre, the team has explored how people from diverse backgrounds experience brain research and translated those insights into practical steps to make neurotechnology development more equitable and representative.

Through community-based workshops, flexible study procedures, and accessible communication materials, the collaboration is embedding inclusion and lived experience at the heart of neurotechnology innovation. National recognition of this work through the EPSRC newsletter reflects our investigators commitment to advancing neurotechnology that benefits all communities, ensuring that research excellence is matched by inclusivity, transparency, and public trust.

Read full details of the project via the below:

• On the Neurotech4all website: https://www.neurotech4all.com/news/22-10-2025-LK.html

• In the EPSRC Healthcare Technologies Newsletter: “Breaking barriers: making brain research more inclusive” (Issue 18, Oct 2025)

The NIHR funds, enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.

NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) are collaborations between NHS organisations and universities. They bring together academics and clinicians to translate scientific discoveries into potential new treatments, diagnostics and technologies.