Neurotech4All Shortlisted as Finalist for the HTN Health Tech Awards 2026: Improving Health Inequalities within Neurotechnology Research

We are delighted to see that Neurotech4all has been shortlisted as one of the seven finalists in the ‘Digital inclusion and improving health inequalities’ category in the Health Tech Newspaper's (HTN) Health Tech Awards 2026.

Neurotech4all is a project led by Professor Mahnaz Arvaneh at the University of Sheffield project, run in collaboration with Devices for Dignity, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that is addressing the underrepresentation of minority communities in neurotechnology research, design and access to treatments. Funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), we are working to identify barriers to adoption and develop evidence-based guidance, tools and case studies to support more inclusive neurotechnology research, innovation and healthcare. 

Neurotechnologies have the potential to transform our understanding of the brain. However, currently factors such as hair type and protective hairstyles, skin tone, head size, skull thickness and hormonal differences can all impact signal quality and comfort. This limiting aspect of research therefore fails to reflect the realities of real communities and provides biased evidence which tools are then built on. These tools risk serving the easiest to recruit rather than the ones who might benefit the most. 

To ensure that going forward we are focusing on inclusion, Devices for Dignity have been working with our Community Research Champions in Sheffield’s Congolese, Somali and South Asian communities and together we have conducted focus groups, workshops and semi-structured interviews to learn more about current barriers which people from minority communities experience in accessing neurotechnologies and in taking part in health research. With an initial focus on deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease we have been able to co-create outputs including participation toolkits, culturally appropriate recruitment resources and practical guidance for researchers. We have completed 18 months of practical co-design of solutions to make neurotechnology and research fairer and more representative.

The ultimate goal of this project is to develop practical solutions and provide actionable recommendations to researchers, innovators, clinicians, investors, policymakers, and regulators. These recommendations will promote the responsible development of neurotechnologies that ensures consideration of all stakeholders, enhancing their performance, usability, and adoption among marginalised populations, and ensuring equitable access to these advancements.

Project Lead, Mahnaz Arvaneh said “We are delighted that Neurotech4All has been recognised as a finalist in the HTN Health Tech Awards. This is not a marginal problem: neurotechnologies are still too often designed and tested using narrow, unrepresentative populations, meaning they may perform less reliably for many of the people who could benefit from them most. Neurotechnology can only fulfil its potential if it is designed with—not simply for—the diverse communities it aims to serve. This recognition reflects the dedication of our Community Research Champions, participants and partners, whose experiences are helping us develop practical solutions for fairer research, more inclusive innovation and more equitable access to care.”   

The Health Tech Newspaper (HTN) hosts annual awards in numerous categories to share and celebrate innovation, partnerships and health tech that has made a difference and can help to shape the future of health and social care. The winners of each category will be announced on October the 7th.