University of Kent researchers were delighted to contribute an event at the Discovery Park on Wednesday 20 April showcasing the neuroscience, mental health and ageing expertise within the region.
Organised by The Health Hub at the Discovery Park, the event brought together local Universities, businesses and representatives from Innovate UK to provide an opportunity for knowledge exchange and networking.
Professor Sukhi Sergill, Professor of Psychiatry at Kent and Medway Medical School -a joint initiative between the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University- was a keynote speaker at the event. He was joined by Professor David Wilkinson, Professor of Psychology at Kent and pioneer in therapeutic brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease, whom contributed to a panel discussion around how ageing affects mental health.
David Wilkinson said of the showcase, “Plans for a neuroscience hub that brings together local academic, clinical, charitable and industrial expertise to address key healthcare priorities is long overdue. This event showcased the innovation and goodwill that are needed to make this hub a reality, and I look forward to concrete discussions on how to develop this exciting proposition”.
Our business and innovation gateway team were also on hand to talk about the wide range of neuroscience, ageing and ophthalmology expertise the University can offer to those looking to overcome health and social care challenges in the region. A brochure summarising this expertise is available to view online.
The event was organised by The Health Hub, a concept forged in Discovery Park by healthcare tenants wanting to create collaboration opportunities. It aims to become the ‘go to’ innovation collaboration for its members, the local NHS, Local Authorities and multitude of private care providers in generating service developments, accessing funding and developing and attracting skills and expertise.
Earlier this year, the University of Kent and Discovery Park signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see us work together in a number of strategic areas including Industrial Biotechnology, Neurosciences and digital and data driven healthcare, increasingly referred to as ‘Tech Bio’. Mayer Schreiber, CEO of Discovery Park said of the agreement, “Collaboration between academia and business is essential if we are to build on the exciting developments that are coming out of the University’s laboratories.”
With international expertise and cutting-edge facilities, the University of Kent is always looking for opportunities to work with businesses, charities and public sector organisations to innovate on a regional, national or global scale. If you would like to find out more about what the University can offer, get in touch with our business and innovation gateway team.