In a significant step towards advancing student well-being, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has announced a new partnership with health-tech startup Prorizon. This collaboration is set to optimise the support provided to first-year sports science students and dual-career athletes at LJMU’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, in order to enhance their academic experience and potential.
A 2021 survey by the Office for National Statistics revealed that 37% of first-year students in England reported experiencing depression and anxiety, which impact their performance and well-being. To better support students, the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences will leverage Prorizon’s innovative mobile app, integrated with wearable technology, to gain insights about students’ well-being and the impact it has on attendance and performance, providing insights into how to better support the student population.
This data-driven approach aims to ensure that all participating students have the tools to perform optimally at University, while maintaining their health and well-being. The project is supported by two LJMU research assistants, James Woodward and Elliot May, who are leading the research project to determine the effectiveness of technological interventions for improving student support and therefore well-being and performance.
Joly Zou, Co-Founder and CEO at Prorizon Tech, shared her enthusiasm for the initiative: “We are thrilled to partner with Liverpool John Moore’s University to bring our health management tools into a university setting. At Prorizon, we are dedicated to a science-first, data-driven approach to harnessing biopsychosocial data and AI technology in order to enhance individual well-being and performance. This collaboration is not only a testament to our innovative approach but also aligns with our mission to transform how mental and physical health support is provided to young athletes and students, setting them up for success in all areas of life.”
Dr. Rebecca Murphy, Head of the Department for Sport and Exercise Sciences at LJMU added: “Partnering with Prorizon allows us to enhance our support systems using cutting-edge technology to cater to the diverse needs of our students, enabling improved, student-focussed interventions that are current and relevant. It reflects our commitment to fostering an environment that supports the well-being of our students, ultimately enhancing their personal, academic and athletic ambitions and enabling them to thrive.”
James Woodward, one of the researchers on the study, commented: “This initiative provides a unique opportunity to determine the influencers on student health and performance in order to support student outcomes directly. We anticipate that the findings will significantly influence how we can use technology to support our students, not just at LJMU but potentially across all educational institutions.”
About Liverpool John Moores University: Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a dynamic institution based in Liverpool, dedicated to transforming lives through education. Established in 1823 and achieving university status in 1992, LJMU serves over 20,000 students across a broad range of disciplines. As a certified Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) provider, the university excels in supporting both the academic and athletic ambitions of its student-athletes. Known for its innovative approach and state-of-the-art facilities, LJMU integrates technology and research to enhance well-being and performance, making it a leader in academic excellence and community impact.