Back to School

While the Neupulse wearable technology is making headlines – thanks to visits to the university by musician and songwriter Lewis Capaldi, who has tested the wristwatch-like device to reduce his own tics – researchers are hard at work trying to make the next medical breakthrough in this field.

One such individual is Adam Parker, a PhD student and scholarship recipient doing vital research into tic disorders, which will help GPs support those who suffer from tics. There are around 300,000 people in the UK with a tic disorder and Adam has first-hand experience of seeing a family member who struggles to receive appropriate healthcare. However, Adam may not have been able to study towards a PhD without the help of a scholarship.

“I was quite apprehensive about going back to university,” said Adam. “Once you’ve been in the world of work, it’s a daunting prospect to go back into full-time education. The scholarship was the biggest reason I had the confidence to go back into academia. It allowed me the space to make sure I didn’t have to worry about finances.

“It was a real honour when I found out that I would receive the scholarship. It just makes you want to achieve even more because the fund has been provided for a specific reason and you want to make the most of it.”

Adam wanted to return to education to research tic disorders – something he has witnessed firsthand.

“I have a family member who has a tic disorder and you can see the toll it takes on their mental health,” added Adam. “Although tic disorders may not be life threatening, they can be life-altering. It can affect their daily lives and mental health through stigma from the public, their peers, employers and even healthcare professionals.

“The hope is that we can do something life-changing with the research we’re doing. For example, I work with someone that did something similar for ADHD and now that resource is available to GPs nationally, and even for doctors in some other countries too. If we’re able to do a similar thing, then it could really help the many, many people living with tics to get support earlier.”

This has all been made possible for Adam, thanks to the Joan Browne Scholarship, a legacy that supports high calibre PhD medical students, with additional assistance for specialist equipment and travel. Joan was well known by generations of Lincolnshire pupils after spending a lifetime working in education and now her love for learning lives on, thanks to the gift left in her will.

“The scholarship gave me such a confidence boost,” said Adam. “It was daunting coming back into education but having the support behind me gave me more confidence. You know that someone believed in the future of Nottingham students when they left the gift in their will.”