The Oxford Martin School is pleased to announce the launch of five new programmes of research, identified through an open competition across the University.

The competition called for researchers to develop proposals around new technologies that can help create solutions for major global challenges. The new programmes will add a highly diverse set of new subjects and international expertise to the existing portfolio of research at the School.

The Oxford Martin Programme on 3D Printing for Brain Repair will pioneer a radical new approach in which the brain is repaired with 3D-printed neural tissues. It will look initially at traumatic brain injury, which affects 5.3 million people globally.

The Oxford Martin Programme on Global Epilepsy will work across Brazil, India, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe, on new portable technologies for diagnosis and treatment of people with epilepsy in resource-poor areas.

The Oxford Martin Programme on Antimicrobial Resistance Testing will develop rapid, ultra-sensitive microscopy tests and machine learning-based image analysis, to identify bacteria and establish which antibiotics they are susceptible to. Its aim is to help reduce use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and so tackle rising antimicrobial resistance.

The Oxford Martin Programme on Ethical Web and Data Architecture will develop and deploy new forms of technical and legal infrastructure with the aim of supporting a more equitable and ethical treatment of internet users, giving them greater privacy and more control over their data.

The Oxford Martin Programme on Monitoring Ocean Ecosystems will develop a novel prototype sensor for studying phytoplankton in the oceans, monitoring their diversity and abundance for indications of harmful environmental change such as acidification.

Director of the Oxford Martin School, Professor Sir Charles Godfray, said: “We received many impressive research proposals during this round, testament to innovative and global thinking that is a key strength of the University.

“We’re delighted to be able to support five programmes, all of which demonstrated during the application process that they could have a significant impact on pressing global challenges, with solutions that could be implemented at scale.

“Our founder James Martin believed in the power of human ingenuity and the incredible potential of technology. We are confident that these programmes will spur technological developments that can deliver significant improvements for society.”