The challenges faced by people with epilepsy can be debilitating – uncontrollable seizures, difficult side effects of treatments, and a loss of independence.
We can face these challenges and overcome them, through research.
To do this as quickly and as effectively as possible, we need to strengthen the community of scientists working on epilepsy and provide them with the tools and funding they most need.
This strengthening of the research community is what we call ‘capacity building’. It underpins all the work we do at the Epilepsy Research Institute – we cannot expect to make the progress people with epilepsy deserve, without it.
The scientists leading the Capacity Building theme on the Institute’s behalf are Professor Torsten Baldeweg, Dr Sukhvir Wright, and Dr James Mitchell. James recently described what they hope to achieve with the Capacity Building theme as follows:
“We are building an infrastructure that supports research crossing institutions, themes, and disciplines to rapidly advance research in the key areas identified in the UK Epilepsy Priority Setting Partnership (PSP). Central to the Institute’s mission is ensuring we build capacity for the future by strengthening the network of epilepsy researchers and supporting research partnerships.”
To help them create a bold plan, the theme leads wanted to first get a better understanding of the current epilepsy research landscape.
They carried out a survey among scientists asking them questions about a range of topics, including the number of epilepsy researchers working at their institution, the gaps in infrastructure, and how the Institute could best support them in the future.
The responses from the epilepsy research community highlighted three recurring challenges:
First, more than 90% of respondents said technology was a major gap – scientists need better tools and resources to do the job.
Second, funding – epilepsy research simply needs more money, from a wider range of sources.
Finally, collaboration – scientists need to strengthen the links they have with others working on epilepsy, and with scientists working in other research fields.
The full results of the survey will be released later this month. These results will help direct the capacity building work of the Epilepsy Research Institute, by ensuring we’re putting our efforts into the areas that will make the biggest difference.
In turn, if researchers have everything they need, they can take on the challenges faced by people affected by epilepsy and bring forward the day we can end epilepsy for good.
That’s why your support is so vital – you’re not just funding research projects but shaping the future of epilepsy. As the chair of our Scientific Advisory Committee Professor Mike Cousins says: “your support is allowing us to sculpt the future research landscape by generating additional capacity in epilepsy research.”
Donate today to strengthen the epilepsy research community and help end epilepsy for good.
