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Engagement Ambassadors Scheme

In this section

​​The role of engagement ambassadors

2025 NDCN Engagement Ambassadors will:

  • support or initiate at least one public, patient, or policy engagement activity in 2025
  • encourage involvement among their groups and peers
  • be able to give a good explanation of why engagement is mutually beneficial.

The scheme is open to DPhil students, professional services staff and research staff at all levels. ​​Ambassadors are recruited in cohorts following the calendar year (applications for 2025 were open 1-30 November 2024). 

The Engagement Ambassadors scheme offers places to members of NDCN, Experimental Psychology, and the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, who are trained together in a joint cohort.

Benefits

Engaging with public, patient, and policy audiences is a vital component of academic research. It not only lets us inform and inspire the many audiences who are major stakeholders in our research, but it can also help to shape us as researchers and shape the research that we do. To foster a culture in which engagement can thrive, we set up the Engagement Ambassadors Scheme in 2017. Each year, our ambassadors receive formal training in public, patient, and policy engagement and are given lots of opportunity to hone their engagement skills throughout the year.

Here are some testimonials from previous ambassadors:

"I really enjoyed being part of the scheme. It formalised doing Public Engagement and there were really diverse projects​.  I particularly valued interactions with other ambassadors."

"What I really liked about the scheme was that it gave me more confidence doing Public Engagement because I had opportunities to do it more. It also gave us the opportunity to talk through our activities with the others, which was helpful."

​How to apply

2025 Applications were open 1-30 November 2024.

FAQs

Detailed answers to frequently asked questions about the Engagement Ambassador scheme.

2025 nDCN Engagement Ambassadors

Grid of six headshots

Nita Alpin is an MSCA Doctoral Research Fellow in Clinical Neurosciences, researching the role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis and progression of Parkinson's disease. 'Through close collaboration with the Oxford Brain Bank, I work with donated human brains and recognize how valuable they are as a resource for advancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. I became an Engagement Ambassador because I believe that effective communication and dissemination of open science practices are mutually beneficial: they help us shape the research we do and tailor it to truly benefit patients and the public.'
Grace Borchert is a DPhil student in Clinical Neuroscience and junior doctor. ‘My research focuses on atrophic age-related macular degeneration: risk factors, phenotype and optogenetic functional rescue. Communication is so important in research from recruiting patients for clinical trials, working in a clinical team, fostering collaborations, and sharing our findings with patients, their families and the broader community. I’m excited to join the engagement ambassador team and looking forward to develop these skills further.’ 

Lyndsey Mugford is an MSc (Res) student in Clinical Neurosciences conducting research in the Bennett Lab within the neural injury group. She studies mechanisms of sensory neuron outgrowth and repair, with a broader interest in addressing chronic neuropathic pain and improving patient quality of life. Lyndsey is passionate about integrating patient experiences, priorities, and concerns with laboratory research, as well as larger issues of scientific communication and trust. Her hometown is Boston, USA, and she is always happy to wax poetic about its wonderful winter weather.

Jasmine Reese is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Clinical Neurosciences in the Ansorge lab. 'My research focuses on understanding how certain molecules influence the susceptibility of specific types of brain cells to diseases like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). I applied to become an engagement ambassador because I am passionate about making education and lifelong learning accessible to everyone. I love teaching and inspiring others, and I believe that raising awareness about important research is crucial—not only for fostering public understanding but also for inspiring the next generation of scientists and healthcare workers.'

Chiara Toschi is a postdoctoral researcher at the Brain Network Dynamics Unit, where she investigates the neural mechanisms underlying decisions to expend effort in pursuit of rewards. 'I decided to become an ambassador because I believe that effective engagement with the public, stakeholders and policy makers is crucial for disseminating research findings and collaborating on solutions to the pressing challenges of our time.' (Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash). 

Valeria Zuluaga-Sanchez is a first-year MSc student in Clinical Neurosciences. 'My research focuses on the development of a stem cell-derived model to study a disorder of the cerebellum. Outside of my masters, I am a member of my college chapel choir. I am passionate about outreach and educating people about neuroscience and the brain, which is why I’m so thrilled to be a part of this year’s ambassador cohort!'

Meet the Engagement Team