Epilepsy Research Institute

30/10/2025

Paid opportunity in Manchester to help shape the future of epilepsy care in the NHS!

We’re looking for people affected by epilepsy – especially parents, carers, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds – to join a focus group in Manchester about the use of OPM-MEG, a new brain imaging technology that’s more comfortable and precise than traditional systems.

When: Monday 24 November, 1–4:30pm (optional lunch at 12pm)
Where? The Studio, 51 Lever Street, Manchester M1 1FN

💷 You’ll receive £75 for your time and expertise, and all travel expenses for you and anyone supporting your attendance will be covered. Travel from the wider North of England can also be reimbursed.
📝 Please apply here by Friday 7 November: https://forms.office.com/e/G9UQb2Bpkq
📧 Questions? Email shapenetwork@epilepsy-institute.org.uk

29/10/2025

🎅The Epilepsy Research Institute’s 2025 Christmas card collection is now available! Visit our secure online store now and support vital research while ticking one thing off the Christmas to-do list: https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/shop/

29/10/2025

Paid opportunity to help shape the future of OPM-MEG in the NHS (plus travel expenses covered!)

Together with the University of Nottingham and Cerca Magnetics, we are inviting people affected by epilepsy to join a focus group exploring how new OPM-MEG technology can be best used in the NHS.

Unlike traditional brain imaging systems, OPM-MEG uses a lightweight, customisable helmet, making it more comfortable, child-friendly and able to capture more precise information to help guide epilepsy surgery. To help ensure this technology truly meets the needs of people affected by epilepsy, we want to hear your experiences and perspectives.

Anyone affected by epilepsy can get involved, especially parents or carers and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Focus group options:
- Manchester: Monday 24 November, 1–4:30pm (with optional lunch at 12pm), The Studio, 51 Lever Street, M1 1FN
- London: Friday 28 November, 10am–1:30pm (with optional lunch after), Epilepsy Research Institute, 35 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4SG

Your time and input are valued:
- As a recognition for your time and expertise, you will be offered a payment of £75.
- All reasonable travel expenses for you and anyone needed to support your attendance will also be paid.
- For the Manchester focus group, we are happy to cover travel expenses from the wider North of England area.

To take part, complete this short form by Friday 7 November: https://forms.office.com/e/G9UQb2Bpkq

Please email any questions you may have to us at shapenetwork@epilepsy-institute.org.uk

28/10/2025

Sophie, Rona and Craig are now deep into their colossal cycling adventure across South America, taking on the 1,200-kilometre Patagonia Cycle Challenge through Chile’s stunning but remote Carretera Austral region.

They’ve already tackled some incredible terrain and are pushing on strong. Wishing them the very best as they continue this epic journey in support of epilepsy research! 💪

You can follow their progress, updated daily, on Polar Steps: https://www.polarsteps.com/ACE2/21720400-ace2?referral=true

Read more about why this ride is “unfinished business” for the team: https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/eri/news/patagonia-cycling-challenge-for-epilepsy-research/

28/10/2025

Breakthroughs in neuroscience research and treatment are transforming what’s possible, but without the right workforce in place, those innovations may never reach the people who could benefit. Find out more and join us in supporting this important call by the Neurological Alliance here: http://neural.org.uk/workforce

Ahead of the NHS 10-year workforce plan, we're united with 30+ orgs in calling for government action to strengthen, modernise and support the clinical neuroscience workforce. Share this post to show your support. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4qvdfZS IMAGE: logos of supporting orgs.

24/10/2025

Thousands of women and girls with epilepsy experience more frequent seizures at points during their menstrual cycle – known as catamenial epilepsy. However, we don’t fully understand why this happens, and how best to treat it. In this blog post, we look at opportunities for research to tackle this over-looked aspect of epilepsy – and help more women live seizure-free.
https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/eri/research/features/catamenial-epilepsy-time-for-change/

24/10/2025

Every new MP we reach strengthens the call for better epilepsy research and understanding. If you can’t see yours on our interactive map, why not ask them to join the campaign today? Writing to your MP takes a couple minutes with our handy letter template – help us change the odds for everyone affected by today.
✉️ https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/onein100/write-to-your-mp/

23/10/2025

The Epilepsy Research Institute’s 2025 Christmas cards have arrived!
🎄 Tick one thing off your Christmas to-do list and support life-changing epilepsy research at the same time. Shop the collection now: https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/shop/

22/10/2025

🚅 New funding opportunity for early career epilepsy researchers!

The Epilepsy Research Institute is piloting a new scheme to help PhD students and early career researchers cover essential travel and training costs when no other funding is available.

- Grants of up to £1,000
- Four application rounds each year
- Ideal for conferences, workshops, and specialist training

Full guidance, application forms, and further details are available here: https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/eri/research/travel-and-training-awards/

22/10/2025

Epilepsy affects one in 100 people in the UK, yet too often it’s overlooked.
Ask your MP to become a Campaign Champion and back life-changing research.
It only takes a couple of minutes to send a message using our template!
💌 https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/onein100/write-to-your-mp/

21/10/2025

💌 18 MPs have already pledged to champion epilepsy research – is yours one of them?
See which MPs are standing with the and help us put epilepsy on the political agenda: https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/onein100/our-mp-champions/

21/10/2025

Is your MP on our map of Parliamentary champions? 🗺️
Check which MPs are already standing with the and backing vital epilepsy research. If your MP isn’t there yet, you can help change that – use our quick letter template to write to them today. Every message helps change the odds for the one in 100 people living with epilepsy.
https://epilepsy-institute.org.uk/onein100/our-mp-champions/