Biology/Computing students: turn your idea into reality and win a share of £3,000

Bringing ideas to life: the BioCode Hackathon

Are you a student in science, biomedicine, or computing with a great idea or a passion for innovation? A unique cross-disciplinary collaboration at Oxford Brookes is giving students the chance to turn academic projects into real-world commercial solutions and compete for a share of £3,000 in cash prizes.

Launched after the Oxford Brookes Bioinnovation Hub was approached by the Engineers in Science & Business Foundation (ESBF), the BioCode Hackathon bridges biology and coding. Designed by Professor Verena Kriechbaumer, this ESBF-funded competition turns 3rd-year biology students' digital concepts into reality by pairing them directly with Computer Science students.

In phase 1, Biology and Biomedical students spend five weeks developing a solid business plan for a digital concept. In phase 2, Computer Science students take these biological concepts and build functional code and prototypes as part of their own semester coursework.

Students gain real-world experience and build vital skills for STEM careers, for example negotiating timeframes, understanding of technical limits, and learning to "speak the language" of another discipline. In addition to the opportunity to receive a share of the cash prize, interested student teams will be able to receive ongoing mentoring from Verena Kriechbaumer to help them scale up their projects into a real startup.

How can I get involved?

Contact Professor Verena Kriechbaumer at vkriechbaumer@brookes.ac.uk if you’re interested in taking part. You can also learn more about the ESBF University Competitions.

The deadline for entering is Friday 11 December.

This year’s winner - Jungle Journey

"Thousands of species are vanishing before most of us even know their names. Jungle Journey is here to change that".

Conceived as a conservation-focused educational webpage, Jungle Journey aims to raise awareness about endangered species and inspire real-world environmental action. By pairing conservation science with engaging digital tools, the platform transforms complex ecological issues into accessible, interactive experiences.

Key features of the webpage include:

• Interactive storytelling - users explore the lives, habitats, and threats facing at-risk animals

• Gamified learning - quizzes reinforce key facts, while achievement badges reward user progress and encourage continued exploration

• Action-oriented outcomes - turns awareness into meaningful real-world conservation steps.