17 July 2024 News
The MND Association’s annual event, MND EnCouRage UK, which took place in Northamptonshire, once again saw some of Britain’s most talented MND researchers in the early stages of their careers, gathered together to share, learn and engage.
The two-day event aims to attract, enthuse and encourage early career researchers (ECRs) to remain in the field.
More than 20 ECRs were in attendance, some of whom are funded by the Association through our research grants programme. They were joined on the second day by a group of people with MND. Alongside a jam-packed programme, ECRs had the chance to engage with members of the MND community, to discuss the importance of their research and what it means to people with MND.
The event kicked off with a compelling presentation from Simon Hall of Cambridge University, a former BBC correspondent, author and journalist. He grabbed everyone’s attention with an engaging, interactive and definitely entertaining workshop designed to help ECRs with creating compelling and powerful presentations.
We are delighted to have brought these incredible researchers together and encouraged them to continue working in this field. They have been introduced to leading figures in MND research and go away with tools, advice and knowledge that we hope will increase collaboration. Also, we hope this event provides ECRs with a greater understanding of what their work means to the MND community.
Ultimately, we hope as an Association that by investing in these talented individuals, we are investing in a cure for MND – one of the people in that room could go on to find the key we all desperately want.
'Lightning talk’ sessions allowed individual ECRs to showcase their research in a succinct and easily understandable way. Informal, interactive sessions with communications professionals also gave them hints and tips for better explaining scientific research to lay communities.
I had a wonderful time at MND EnCouRage UK, connecting with individuals affected by MND and dedicated scientists. Science is fun, our work matters, and public engagement is vital. I’m inspired by everyone’s stories and wish I’d joined this event sooner. Thanks!
There were opportunities for ECRs and people with MND to network with world-leading researchers as well as participate in an Ask the Expert session and listen to an engaging presentation on the vital need to include patients in early drug discovery. Professor Ammar Al Chalabi, Professor of Neurology and Co-director of the UK MND Research Institute, also led a lively roundtable discussion about clinical trials.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at MND EnCouRage UK. I have met so many bright-minded, dedicated peers and experts. I’ve learned so much about science communication. And most importantly, had the opportunity to connect with people affected by MND. Thank you for organising!
Now UK MND EnCouRage is over for another year, the MND Association is focused on preparing for the 35th International Symposium on ALS/MND, the biggest annual conference dedicated to ALS and MND research, taking place in December in Montreal. Last year saw the launch of our Symposium Communications Ambassadors Programme under which, each year, selected ECRs will provide coverage of the research for a non-science audience both before and during the event.
Read more about MND EnCouRage UK 2024 in our research blog.
For an overview of research we fund, please read our recently launched Countdown to a Cure.
We look forward to next MND EnCouRage UK 2025.