The Unit recently welcomed Lord James O’Shaughnessy, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, for a site visit organised as part of The Royal Society’s Pairing Scheme.

The visit began with Unit Group Leaders Peter Brown, Peter Magill and Tim Denison highlighting why, how and where the Unit undertakes its cross-disciplinary research incorporating experimental neuroscience, clinical studies and bioengineering. This prompted some insightful discussion on the Unit’s contribution to the UK’s research and innovation landscape, as well as its alignment with government policy and strategy. Lord O'Shaughnessy then toured Unit facilities, and met with some of the Unit’s early-career scientists who showcased the concepts and technologies underpinning their respective experiments. After lunch, Lord O'Shaughnessy visited Unit research collaborators at the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre and the ARUK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute.

Peter Magill commented, “Lord O’Shaughnessy’s visit was an invaluable opportunity for us to engage and to be engaged. The mutual exchange of knowledge was both invigorating and enlightening. I can highly recommend the Pairing Scheme to other scientists and policymakers.”