MCS pupil’s research published in blog for respected think tank

Congratulations to Magdalen College School Sixth Form pupil, Rupert, whose research into loneliness has been published in a blog for the highly respected think tank the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI).

Rupert’s blog urges universities to consider how they support students in tackling loneliness – after his research identified a range of sources pointing towards physiological effects of loneliness. These include hypertension, reduced immune efficiency and changes in the neurological pathways related to facial recognition – all potentially exacerbated by the less interactive social structure prevalent today. With loneliness presenting physical impacts as well as emotional ones, he concluded there are opportunities to refocus policies designed to support young people.

Rupert began researching the topic of loneliness last year, for his Waynflete Studies project. Unique to MCS, the project is an extended piece of pupil research, often completed under the guidance of an external tutor from Oxford University. Rupert’s work was ‘commended’ when assessed by a panel of judges recently.

Rupert said:

“Loneliness is clearly becoming an endemic problem, particularly in secondary and higher education and is having a very real effect on students’ health. Loneliness is a self-perpetuating condition and something that easily becomes chronic, so it is therefore best to prevent it before it begins. The policy focus must be placed on making students aware of loneliness before it can start to impact on people’s education and wellbeing.”

Commenting on the blog, Nick Hillman OBE, Director, HEPI, said:

“We are delighted to publish Rupert’s brilliant piece. Young people are currently arriving at universities all over England nervous about what’s in store for them. There is a loneliness epidemic among undergraduates and Rupert’s work shows why it’s so important that we all work hard to tackle the problem. Attending freshers’ week events, joining clubs and societies and reaching out for support when you need it are vital. We don’t often open up the HEPI blog to people who are still at school but I wanted to do so on this occasion because Rupert’s piece is so good and the issues are so important.”