The SCAMP Awards Ceremony, held in July 2024, was a resounding success, bringing together over 40 students from eight participating schools, along with more than 20 guest researchers and school staff members. The event marked the culmination of the SCAMP Research Challenge 2023-2024 programme, celebrating the achievements and contributions of students who engaged in pioneering research on the impact of digital technology and environmental factors on adolescent mental health and cognitive development.
The Research Challenge is a two-part programme designed to give Year 12 students the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research. Students from each participating school submit their own research questions, while also helping SCAMP researchers conduct data collection sessions with their peers. If selected, students collaborate with SCAMP researchers to develop their projects, from conducting literature reviews to transforming their findings into academic papers.
The Awards Ceremony was the perfect occasion to announce the winning projects, acknowledge the hard work of all Research Challenge students, and share the exciting ongoing work SCAMP is leading.
The evening began with an opening talk from SCAMP’s Founder and Director of the Mohn Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing, Professor Mireille Toledano, who reflected on SCAMP’s 10-year journey and the remarkable contributions of all involved. Following this, Dr Rachel Smith and Dr Steven Shen, two of SCAMP’s leading researchers, presented highlights of their work with previous Research Challenge students.
A key moment of the evening was a guest lecture by Dr Azadeh Peyman, who captivated the audience with a thought-provoking talk on the adverse effects of electromagnetic fields on human health.
The ceremony then moved on to the announcement of the winning research proposals, with each student group receiving recognition for their dedication and accomplishments. The event culminated with a Guest Panel Discussion, expertly led by Professor Deborah Ashby, Director of the School of Public Health and Chair in Medical Statistics and Clinical Trials at Imperial College London. The panel brought together a host of distinguished experts in child and adolescent health, including Professor Jonathan Roiser (UCL), Dr Kimberly Foley (Imperial College London), Dr Steven Hope (UCL and Imperial College London), Ms Wendy Amexo (UN Women UK Delegate; Proctor & Gamble), Dr Anne-Lise Goddings (UCL Institute of Child Health), and Dr Alex Spiers (GSK).
This year’s ceremony not only showcased the academic achievements of the students, but also highlighted the collaborative spirit of SCAMP, as well as the programme’s 10th anniversary. The success of SCAMP’s research would not be possible without the passion and dedication of its participants, and the event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of advancing knowledge and services surrounding young people’s mental health and wellbeing. SCAMP looks forward to continuing its innovative work in the years to come.