N-CODE Study Group

Registration is now open to attend the N-CODE Study Group, 15th – 18th April 2024, Telford to co-create solutions for Challenges of Unmet Need which require the development of innovative neurotechnologies to shift the emphasis of diagnosis and management of a variety of neurological conditions from the hospital into the community.

Venue: The Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Sutton Heights, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4DT
Dates: Monday 15th – Thursday 18th April 2024
Cost: £150 per person, £75 for PhD students for the 4-day/ 3 night event, including all accommodation and catering.

Register to attend the N-CODE Study Group to co-create solutions for Challenges of Unmet Need which require the development of innovative neurotechnologies to shift the emphasis of diagnosis and management of a variety of neurological conditions from the hospital into the community.
We are seeking researchers from academic or industrial backgrounds at all career stages to participate in the Study Group and enable formation of truly multi-disciplinary teams to co-create novel solutions. We anticipate innovative solutions for community-based neurotechnologies using approaches built around digital health, neural interfacing, signal processing, machine learning and mathematical modelling as enabling technologies.
Three themes of Challenges will be addressed:
1 Using technology to improve the diagnostic accuracy of cognitive assessments for preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
2 Developing inclusive and remote outpatient neurorehabilitation services through the use of digital technology, mathematical modelling and machine learning
3 Supporting differential diagnosis and supporting neurotechnological solutions for management of functional neurological disorder and paroxysmal neurological events
We invite those with research skills in one or more of the following areas to register and participate:
brain-computer interfaces / app development / wearable technology / digital health / user interfaces and engagement / product innovation / behaviour change / human centred design / mathematical modelling / machine learning / signal processing / natural language processing / bioengineering / neurofeedback.
We also welcome attendees with clinical research backgrounds in the challenge areas of preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, neurorehabilitation and functional neurological disorder/paroxysmal neurological events.

On Day 1, the three challenge themes will be presented by the nominating stakeholder. Researchers will work collaboratively in a hackathon style on the challenge(s) that most interest them to co-create innovative solutions. By the end of the event, teams will present their solution to date and receive feedback from the room.
Following the event, the newly formed collaborative groupings will be invited to submit light-touch proposals to N-CODE for follow on pump-priming funding of up to £40,000 per project. This pump-priming funding will enable the development of pilot data or prototypes suitable for publication and application for significant onward funding.

Study Groups are a well-established method to seed new collaborations between diverse stakeholders and academia, leading to unexpected new insights and lasting collaborations, as well as to outcomes such as publications, patents and grant funding to further develop partnerships. For those unfamiliar with Study Groups, examples of challenges proposed at the 2023 N-CODE Study Group and updates on the projects funded can be found on the N-CODE website.

Registration:
The cost for the 4-day event, including all accommodation and catering, is £150 per person, or £50 for PhD students.
The event is being held at the Telford Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, overlooking the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge Gorge in scenic Shropshire. Participants will have access to all the hotel’s amenities including the pool, health club, driving range, golf course and spa, all set in inspirational countryside. Located in the heart of the country, there is easy access by rail via Telford Central station, or by car via the M54 and M6 with free onsite parking.
For any queries, please see the ‘FAQs’ section on the website or contact Dr Rebecca Ward, N-CODE Network Manager, on ncode@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
The deadline for applications is 16:00 (GMT) on Thursday 28th March 2024.