Each year, Podium Institute’s doctoral students have the opportunity to apply as Sports Engagement Ambassadors organised by the Oxford University Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging allowing them to contribute meaningfully to the community through this worthwhile scheme. As engagement ambassadors the students get to participate in dedicated training sessions, and outreach activities within the community under the guidance of the Podium Engagement Manager, Dr Carinne Piekema and her team.

We are delighted to introduce the 2026 Sports Engagement Ambassadors, featuring three exceptional doctoral students from The Podium Institute:

Podium Sport Engagement Ambassadors 2026

Amelia Thornton I am a first year DPhil student in Engineering Science, although I have never actually studied engineering before. My research is looking at how concussion affects the eyes, to try and develop a device that could be used in non-medical environments to assess head injuries. I come from an unusual background of Psychology, Neuroscience and circus performing, so I have seen my fair share of head injuries and the struggle in understanding them. Having worked as a circus artist and in social media communication, learning more about engagement in research seemed like a natural way to bring together many of my interests.

Megan Groombridge I am a first year DPhil student working in the Podium Institute and Experimental Psychology. My research interests are centred around paediatric development and sport, particularly the interplay between motivation, mental health and injury risk. I am excited to engage with diverse communities to share research in accessible and interactive ways, and to develop enjoyable activities that inspire interest in science and the brain.

Tobias Harritz I’m a DPhil student studying how neuroimaging and other technologies can improve our understanding of concussion, strengthen diagnosis and better predict long-term outcomes. I joined the ambassador programme as a way to engage with the wider public and help demystify science and research, while gaining practical experience in communicating complex topics effectively.

Building on the success of previous cohorts, the Oxford University Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging is welcoming its fourth group of Sports Ambassadors since launching the initiative in 2023. Over the next year, these students will take part in a comprehensive training programme designed to deepen their understanding of engagement strategies and support them in creating impactful activities.

Past Podium sports ambassadors include Izabelle Lövgren, Erik Vanegas M. and Harry Manship, who have set a strong precedent for excellence: Sports Engagement Ambassadors Scheme – The Podium Institute

We look forward to seeing this new group make a lasting difference in sports engagement!

Read more about the Engagement Ambassador scheme, launched at WIN/OxCIN in 2017, here: Engagement Ambassadors — Oxford University Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging