How does the mind work? Why do we think the way we do? What do we think about? And what outcomes does this thinking lead to? In summer 2026, each of the Our Minds scholars will carry out imaginative, cross-disciplinary research projects that explore how we think - past, present, and future – while also developing creative public engagement activities to share their findings. Gemma Wittig Gemma Wittig is a second year Biomedical Sciences student. Gemma's project explores healthcare access and delivery in Nyabyeya, a remote village in Uganda, through fieldwork in a newly established community health clinic. Marissa Mansor Marissa Mansor is a fourth year Biomedical Sciences student. Inspired by Tandori and Rossjohn (2024), who developed touch-based immunology artworks for visually impaired audiences, Marissa aims to create a sensory brain board with interactive, hands-on activities. Lucy Lambard Lucy Lambard is a second year Psychology student. Lucy intends to compare death anxiety and death acceptance in Christians in Scotland and Malawi. Niamh Botterill Niamh Botterill is a third year Biomedical Sciences student. This project explores the link between communication difficulties and mental health in children by investigating how cultural beliefs and healthcare shape Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) in Scotland and Malawi. Phoebe Brand Phoebe Brand is a third year Neuroscience student. This project looks at menstrual poverty in a different light. Michelle Ng Michelle Ng is a second year Psychology and Sociology student. This project explores how second-generation migrant adolescents decide whether to seek mental health support. Yuhong Liu Yuhong Liu is a second year Psychology and Linguistics (MA Hons) student. This project investigates how cultural differences between the UK and Malawi influence conceptualizations and experiences of mental health. Matthew Ko Matthew Ko is a fourth year Medicine student. This project examines how pesticide industry corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Malawi frame pesticide related harm, with a particular focus on mental health and suicide. Hephzibah Adegoke Hephzibah Adegoke is a fifth year Medicine student. This research will examine public engagement with dermatology and health literacy in Southern African communities, with a focus on traditional practices. Emily Beaney Emily Beaney is PhD student at the Edinburgh College of Art. This collaborative filmmaking project explores and shares local and international perspectives on how our brains and world are changing. This article was published on 2025-06-18
