With one in three people likely to develop Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia in their lifetime, research in this area has the potential to directly affect us all.
“Discovering life-changing dementia treatments” was an animation created by us (and narrated by Alan Titchmarsh no less!) to explain Dr Hazel Hall-Robert’s brilliant work in this field, following Hazel's winning entry to a competition hosted by Oxford University's public engagement department, Oxford Sparks.
See Dr Hazel Hall-Roberts discuss this project, in our recent webinar: The Art of Research Communication, available to watch on demand. A must-see for anyone in any field of academic research who is considering using animation to enhance their research impact.
In a collaboration between Oxford University and Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, Hazel studied genetic risk factors affecting a particular type of brain cell, known as microglia (that's my-kro-glee-yah, if you're wanting to impress your friends).
She says: "Creating an animation is such a rewarding experience, and a very easy way to spread your work broadly and widely to a new audience. In my experience, it has been so much easier to do that than any other single public engagement activity that I could ever think of.
"It is a shame that I didn't get to see everyone's reactions, as they watched it on YouTube or via social media. But, if you want to make an impact, this is the way to do it. I am completely convinced of that."
Take a look at our YouTube channel to discover more about how animation can help with research communication.