From the lab to the Lords: NTU researcher joins national science policy leaders at Westminster
A Nottingham Trent University PhD researcher has attended a prestigious parliamentary event bringing together MPs, Peers and leaders from across the UK's scientific community.
Published on 21 July 2026
Categories: Research; School of Art & Design;
Shadrack Osei Aboagye, from the Nottingham School of Art & Design, was invited to the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee's Annual Luncheon at the House of Lords on 30 June following his Silver Award in the Engineering category at STEM for Britain 2025.
Hosted by Viscount Stansgate, President of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, the event provided an opportunity for researchers and policymakers to discuss how scientific evidence can inform public policy. Shadrack attended as a representative of NTU's Medical Technology Innovation Facility (MTIF) and the Advanced Textile Research Group (ATRG).
Shadrack's PhD research, supervised by Professor Yang Wei and Professor John Hunt, focuses on developing a wearable system for non-invasive breast health monitoring. The Smart Bra technology uses electrical impedance tomography, a low-cost imaging technique, delivered through printed textile electrodes integrated into everyday clothing, with the aim of improving access to early breast health monitoring for underserved communities.
During the luncheon, he met with figures from across the science and engineering sectors and discussed his research with Graham Leadbitter MP, who described the Smart Bra research project as "revolutionary".
Reflecting on the experience, Shadrack said: "Technology only changes lives when policy puts it within reach of the people who need it most. Standing in the room where science meets Parliament, representing NTU, showed me exactly how research earns its place in that conversation. My work started as an engineering problem. Its future depends as much on policy as on circuit boards, and events like this are where those two worlds meet."
Having submitted his doctoral thesis in May 2026, Shadrack is now preparing for his viva while continuing his work as a Research Associate on EPSRC EMERGE RehabTech and Cancer Research UK projects.
He added: "NTU gave me the platform to build this research. Now the job is making sure it reaches the people it was built for."