Phoebe Brand

This project looks at menstrual poverty in a different light. Opposed to focusing only on access to products and toilets, it asks how these challenges shape how we think, focus and learn. Managing menstruation without reliable support can mean constant planning, worry and vigilance. Over time, this hidden mental effort may affect attention and wellbeing. Drawing on neuroscience and global health, the project explores how environments shape the mind. It will include a student survey to understand the real experiences of cognitive strain. The findings will inform a short policy brief and accessible visual materials. By framing menstrual poverty as a cognitive equity issue, the project aims to spark new conversations. Ultimately, it brings neuroscience into conversation with real students’ experiences and the practical realities of education.