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Engagement Ambassadors Scheme

In this section

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Applications for the 2026 OxCIN Engagement Ambassador programme are now closed, the applications for the following year will likely open in October. 

Applications currently closed.

Considering applying next year? Please read the FAQ.

The role of engagement ambassadors

2026 NDCN Engagement Ambassadors will:

  • support or initiate at least one public, patient, or policy engagement activity in 2026
  • 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 2026 are now closed). 

The Engagement Ambassadors scheme offers places to members of NDCN, Experimental Psychology, and the Oxford 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

Applications for the 2026 Engagement Ambassador programme are now closed. Applications for the following year will likely open in October, and will be advertised here and in departmental newsletters.  

FAQs

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

2026 NDCN Engagement ambassadors

2026_NDCN_Ambassadors

Zoe Williams is a first year DPhil candidate in Clinical Neurosciences: "I am researching how interactions between immune cell and injured neurons, drive or resolve neuropathic pain. This project is in collaboration with Elasmogen working with their proprietary soloMER technology, nanobody-like molecules, to develop molecules tools that detect specific neuro-immune events for use as biomarkers or in therapeutics. I wanted to become an ambassador because, alongside doing science, I love finding new ways to communicate research as sharing scientific understanding and inspiring curiosity is something I am deeply passionate about."
Hannah Wisniewska is a research assistant in Clinical Neurosciences, conducting research within the Experimental and Clinical Sleep Medicine group, under the Sir Jules Thorn Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute: "The focus of our current project is the comparison of two behavioural sleep improvement programmes to understand which is more effective in improving sleep and mental health, and to understand by what mechanisms they do this. I applied to be an ambassador as I am passionate about incorporating lived experiences into research to develop relevant, accessible, and impactful outcomes for the wider community. I also hope to inspire the next generation of young people to pursue their aspirations in neuroscience and research."
Isobel Cabraal is a research data analyst working in the Myasthenia Gravis Research Group at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience: "My work uses real-world data from the UK Myasthenia Database (UKMyDB), clinical audits, and electronic health records to study the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes of myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune neuromuscular condition. Our research group has several patient events and webinars planned for next year, and I am very excited to become an Engagement Ambassador so I can best support patient involvement and co-production in our work."
Helen Collins is a postdoctoral researcher at the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit: "My research uses preclinical mouse models to explore how brain chemicals, such as dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine, work together in the striatum to guide goal-directed behaviours. I also investigate how these signals are disrupted in brain conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. I am passionate about improving public understanding of science, including preclinical work. I applied to become an Engagement Ambassador because I want to build confidence in communicating neuroscience with a general audience and work with the other Ambassadors to lead fun and impactful events."
Sarah Almutawa is a DPhil student in Clinical Neurosciences investigating diseases of the cerebellum with the Becker Group: "My research project aims to describe early-disease changes in a mouse model of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2. I became an engagement ambassador to try to bridge the gap between the public and science by demystifying the research we conduct and consequently increasing the public's trust in science. Through this program, I hope to better communicate my work and inspire young students to consider pursuing STEM, while also tapping into their innate curiosity about the world around them, in a way that might not be possible in a formal classroom setting."

Lin Sun is a medical doctor, Clarendon Scholar and DPhil student at NDCN. He studies the neurological basis of language, both in healthy people and in patients who have a language deficit (dysphasia or aphasia) secondary to stroke or dementia. He hopes to engage with patients with aphasia to encourage their participation in neurolinguistic research to understand how language manifests and consequently improve how we diagnose and manage aphasia.
Aleema Iqbal is a DPhil Student in Clinical Neurosciences:  "My research focuses on the immunobiology of primary brain cancers, particularly glioblastoma, with the aim of informing the development of more effective immunotherapies. Despite decades of research, prognosis for glioblastoma patients has remained largely unchanged for over 30 years, and this is a major motivator for my work. As a first-generation student, I recognise how limited exposure to academia and research careers can shape aspirations at an early stage. Through engagement, I aim to share my enthusiasm for science and contribute to making research more accessible and inclusive."

 

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