Six innovative research projects within the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) have received funding from the Philip Welch Fund, an award scheme designed to support Lancaster University’s research in STEM. This year’s awards support researchers from across five FST departments, with each project targeting impactful outcomes for science and society.

Dr Margriet Groen, from the Department of Psychology, will investigate how epilepsy affects language development in children. By trialling non-invasive brain imaging techniques and language assessments in clinical settings, Dr Groen will generate pilot data for a larger study as well as deepen collaborations with epilepsy clinics and families. Her work could lead to earlier diagnosis and targeted interventions for children with epilepsy, ultimately improving educational and social outcomes.

Jenny Roberts, a PhD student in the Department of Engineering, is exploring the mechanical and bioactive properties of propolis, a substance created by honeybees with promising applications in medicine. With the help of the grant, Ms Roberts will be able to process hundreds of propolis samples collected through a nationwide citizen science project. Her goal is to increase understanding of how regional and environmental differences affect this unique material’s properties.

Ms Roberts said: ‘I am delighted and extremely grateful to be a recipient of the Philip Welch Fund this year. Propolis is an amazing substance with antimicrobial properties, and I’m particularly interested in its engineering properties and potential for use in medical applications.’

From the Department of Physics, Dr Richa Arjariya is looking into wearable health technologies. Her project will test ultra-stable molecular coatings designed to generate electricity from body heat, laying the groundwork for self-powered smart clothing. The grant will support material testing and a collaboration with Imperial College London to validate durability and real-world performance. The long-term vision is to embed invisible, battery-free sensors into everyday garments for continuous health monitoring.

In the realm of healthy ageing, Dr Jessica Pepper in Psychology is examining how brain activity linked to attention changes with age and how this may contribute to falls and difficulties in noisy environments. Her project uses EEG recordings during multitasking exercises to reveal differences in younger and older adults’ brain patterns, and the new funding will allow her to complete participant recruitment and ensure her findings can inform future therapies to help older adults maintain their independence.

Professor Carly Stevens, from the Lancaster Environment Centre, is taking a creative approach to science communication. With her grant, she will produce a podcast to raise public awareness about the plight of limestone pavements, rare ecosystems facing serious ecological threats. By interviewing scientists and local farmers, Professor Stevens aims to combine personal stories and scientific insights through engaging storytelling to raise awareness of why these habitats must be conserved.

Finally, Dr Phillip Benachour of the School of Computing and Communications will use his award to roll out an educational game to schools across Lancashire and Cumbria. Designed to teach Boolean logic and computational thinking, the game will be tested with students from areas of high socio-economic deprivation, ultimately improving access to digital education tools for all future pupils.

Professor Nicholas Race, Associate Dean for Research in FST, said of the awards: “We’re extremely grateful to Dr Philip Welch for his generous support in funding these innovative research projects, helping our scientists translate their research into real-word impact for the public good.”