Sleep Revolution described as scientifically outstanding
The researchers behind the Sleep Revolution at Reykjavík University can finally sleep safely and soundly, as the research's final report has been approved. With that, the research formally concludes, and an evaluation committee composed of experts selected by the European Union describes it as scientifically outstanding.
The committee was composed of experts selected by the European Union. In January, a meeting was held with the experts, during which each research team presented its contribution, and the experts had the opportunity to ask detailed questions about specific aspects. At the meeting, the research team received constructive feedback on areas for improvement and praise. The team was particularly proud and pleased to hear that the research was described as outstanding or of scientific excellence.
Founded in 2020, the Sleep Institute at Reykjavík University is a research centre focused on the study of sleep and circadian rhythms. The institute brings together experts from various fields, including engineering, psychology, sports science, and computer science, encouraging collaboration across disciplines. It also partners with professionals from the education and healthcare sectors to support innovative research. With accessible facilities, the Sleep Institute provides a valuable space for those working on sleep-related studies, fostering new discoveries in the science of sleep.
It has been a great privilege to lead this important project over the past years, while also acknowledging the challenge of working across disciplines with hundreds of individuals from different countries and diverse backgrounds. This was made possible because the research team was determined to improve people’s sleep and health, which made the collaboration exceptionally rewarding.
Erna Sif Arnardóttir, Director of the Sleep Institute and Principal Investigator of the Sleep Revolution, says. Anna Sigríður Islind, Professor in the Department of Computer Science and leader of the project’s digitalisation efforts, and Kristín Anna Ólafsdóttir, Project Manager of the Sleep Revolution, further add to this.
We are incredibly proud and grateful for the tremendous support we received from society. A large number of people came to us for sleep measurements, collected data using an app and smartwatch for many months, and encouraged us when the going was tough. A research project of this magnitude cannot succeed unless everyone contributes, and society truly stood behind us. We now want to continue giving back to society through science that benefits the public and improves people’s sleep,
Anna Sigríður says, and Kristín Anna echoes this sentiment, noting that many opportunities have emerged both within and beyond the project.
One of the highlights for us is the scientific community that formed around the project, both domestically and internationally. Numerous new opportunities have already arisen in collaboration with the institutions and partners who participated in the Sleep Revolution. These opportunities have emerged both within the project and beyond it. All partners are excited about continued collaboration, and we look forward to tackling future projects.
Kristín Anna says.
The project received the largest research grant ever awarded in Iceland
The Sleep Revolution received funding from the European Union in 2021, amounting to 15 million euros. The largest grant ever awarded to Iceland. The Sleep Revolution is an exceptionally extensive research project, with more than 130 peer-reviewed scientific articles published in connection with it.
Over 70 terabytes of data were collected during the project, laying a substantial foundation for future collaboration among the Sleep Revolution’s domestic and international partners. There were 39 partner institutions across Europe and Australia, and over a hundred scientists were connected to the project in one way or another. There is, therefore, ample material to build on and to generate even more scientific research from which Reykjavík University will benefit.
One of the things that stands out most to me is the number of students who have produced outstanding scientific papers and final projects with us. At RU, numerous students from the Departments of Engineering, Computer Science, Psychology, and Sport Science have worked on projects at all levels of university study within the Sleep Revolution, thereby contributing valuable knowledge to the scientific community.
Says Erna Sif. She, Kristín Anna, and Anna Sigríður wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support and encouragement they have received, from the time they began writing the application to the European Union in 2020, through the launch of the Sleep Revolution in March 2021, and until its completion.
In the photo, from left to right, are Kristín Anna, Anna Sigríður, and Erna Sif.
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