Our ‘Exchanges: Inspiring Parkinson's Conversations’ project was awarded the prestigious 2024 Stephen Fry Public Engagement Project of the Year Award at the University’s Discovery Days event on Friday 12 January.

The award recognises our engagement with wider audiences and the benefits our Exchanges project brings to society, with the selection panel commending “the breadth of your integrated research and engagement practice”.

Stephen Fry, the comedian, actor, writer, broadcaster, and activist who served two terms as Rector at the University of Dundee, sent his congratulations, “It just makes me so proud that my name is attached to work of this incredibly high quality.”

Exchanges is an interpretive art card activity designed to inspire deeper, more meaningful conversations about Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s research. The project was led by Professor Miratul Muqit and Engagement Consultant, Sarah Patrick, in collaboration with artist Daksha Patel and people with lived experience of Parkinson's.

Professor Miratul Muqit, the team’s lead researcher and Consultant Neurologist, said, “On behalf of the patients, researchers, and the whole team, we are thrilled to receive this recognition and hope the work we have done will benefit the wider Parkinson’s community.”

Sarah Patrick, our Public & Patient Involvement & Engagement Consultant, added, “Thanks to Stephen Fry, the University Principal, and the judging panel for recognising the impact of our Exchanges project with this Stephen Fry Public Engagement Award. We’ll continue to collaborate with external partners and people with lived experience of Parkinson’s to inspire more meaningful conversations about Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s research at a global level.”

More information on our Exchanges project: www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/parkinsons-exchanges