Facial Palsy UK - Undergraduate Medical Student Prize v4

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Facial Palsy UK - Undergraduate Medical Student Prize v4

Facial Palsy UK are launching a competition for medical students, with a cash prize, to support student career development whilst also promoting the knowledge and understanding of facial palsy to other healthcare professionals.
Facial Nerve Palsy is a complex disorder often misdiagnosed, misunderstood and mismanaged by health professionals. To generate more interest and knowledge of Facial Palsy and to encourage medical students to think holistically about the needs of this group, the charity Facial Palsy UK invite undergraduate medical students to apply for a £300 prize, awarded for a communication piece suitable for social media promotion, that may contribute to addressing this issue.
We are looking for something a bit different from the usual written essay; rather we would like you to give us some form of presentation or other media content about a particular aspect of facial palsy that has piqued your interest, and you want to share with your peers/others. Some examples of what you could prepare:
• You may have encountered a particular case study (or read about) of facial nerve palsy that has interested you and you want to discuss your reflections on this –using a format that could be used as a training /discussion piece with others.

• You have done a piece of research that has featured facial nerve palsy in your intercalated degree/neurology studies and feel this is worth writing up/presenting, for the benefit of others to access.

• You are interested in neurological disorders but have not yet come across facial nerve palsy in your studies; you might want to investigate why that is the case, the implications for patients and health service and what we could all do about it.
The submission should take no longer than 15 minutes for FPUK to review it, whether it is a video format or audio or mix; it could be a PowerPoint presentation with audio as you might view in YouTube or a pure video format like a ‘TED talk’, a pure audio ‘podcast’ , a collection of YouTube Shorts/ Instagram Reels or a mix of proposed social media with a connecting back commentary – it really depends on what you are trying to convey as your key messages; the point is that you have something to say and want others to listen. Submissions that include the input of others from a multidisciplinary perspective would enhance the dynamic of what we are looking for. Finally, the presentation can be on any aspect of facial palsy but should add to the body of knowledge rather than repeating commonly known information.
Applications, in any file format (so long as it is compatible and can be viewed through Microsoft products) should be sent to mab@facialpalsy.org.uk by midnight 7th September 2025. If videos are to be sent, please use a file sharing service such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer etc. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. You should acknowledge contributions from others and references where appropriate. The winning submission will be announced by 30th September 2025.
The successful applicant will be invited to receive their award at the inaugural patient conference for Facial Palsy UK Saturday November 8th 2025 (reasonable travel expenses will also be paid). Where suitable for publication, submissions will be posted on our health professionals’ website.
Facial Palsy Awareness week runs from 1-7th March 2025 and there will be lots of inspiring stories and interesting things happening to support your submission and gain your interest/enthusiasm for the topic.

If there are any queries, please contact mab@facialpalsy.org.uk