A new report capturing the impact of the 2026 Dundee Research Interest Group (DRIG) Open Doors Day has been published - bringing together the voices of researchers, people with Parkinson’s, and the wider community in a shared account of the event.
Held on 27 January in the University’s Faculty of Life Sciences, the Open Doors Day brought together around 100 researchers, people with Parkinson’s, carers, authors and charity partners. The report documents not only the programme of the day, but also its impact on those who took part.
“Let’s have more days like this. Explaining Parkinson’s to the newly diagnosed people. I feel much happier now that I understand more.”
Attendee
“Fascinating and informative at layman level. Thank you for all the incredible research and for sharing knowledge. Congratulations to Dundee.”
Attendee
Established in 2017, DRIG unites people with Parkinson’s, their families, and researchers and clinicians from the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU) and wider Faculty of Life Sciences. The group meets regularly to ensure research is shaped by lived experience – a collaborative approach reflected both in the event and in the report itself.
The report highlights key moments from the day. Prof. Dario Alessi shared progress from the global LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) project and how discoveries - including research involving a family in Madrid with a newly identified genetic mutation - are helping to inform future drug development.
Guest speakers reflected the breadth of the Parkinson’s community. Prof. Oliver Bandmann discussed advances in drug repurposing, while ex-BBC journalist and author Rory Cellan-Jones highlighted the role of advocacy and technology. Author Miller Caldwell emphasised the importance of storytelling in building understanding and connection.
Beyond the talks, the report captures the value of more informal and interactive elements - from lab tours to creative activities - in breaking down barriers between researchers and the Parkinson’s community.
Feedback gathered and included in the report was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of respondents rating the event as very good or excellent, and notes including “All was perfect” and “You can’t improve as brilliant”.
Prof. Dario Alessi reflected, “The DRIG event, as always, was genuinely excellent. Everyone who took part, including the researchers, enjoyed it enormously and came away inspired, which is exactly what one hopes for from an event like this.”
With continued support from Parkinson’s UK and the commitment of DRIG members and researchers, both the event and report underline the importance of ongoing, collaborative partnership in accelerating progress towards better treatments.
Read the full report: https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/dundee-research-interest-group-drig-2026-open-doors-day-event-rep