Delegate: Dr Emma Louise Gale (University of St Andrews’ Sleep Team)
Affiliation: University of St Andrews
Short Bio: I am a Research Fellow in Child and Adolescent Sleep Health at the University of St Andrews. As part of the St Andrews Sleep Team, we focus on gauging public opinion on sleep, developing behavioural interventions for children and adolescents, and tackling under-discussed issues such as excessive screen time and sociodemographic inequalities in sleep across Scotland and the UK. I lead community-engaged projects aiming to translate our research into meaningful policy, education, and public health change.
Activity: Scotland Speaks: Is Sleep a Public Health Crisis?
Launched on World Sleep Day 2025, this initiative is currently the largest public survey on sleep health in Scotland, with over 1,500 participants in just two weeks. The survey will run for six weeks in total, with a target of reaching 3,000 participants. It explores how sleep is prioritised across Scottish workplaces, education systems, and wider public health efforts, aiming to determine whether the public views sleep as a critical health issue.
The activity involves a 15–20 minute online survey, designed to capture experiences, perceptions, and awareness of sleep-related challenges and policies. Parents are invited to comment on their children’s sleep, and participants using wearable devices can self-report weekly sleep data. Over 1,000 people have signed up to be involved in future research and policy discussions, creating a new public-facing sleep health network.
Importantly, the questionnaire design was shaped by input from a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group, formed during the Mind and Matter Engagement Day (attached photos). This group helped identify priority areas for inclusion—such as work stress, digital behaviours, and disparities in access to sleep support—ensuring the survey reflected the real-world concerns of Scottish communities.
To amplify the campaign’s reach, I spoke on BBC Radio Scotland’s “Good Morning Scotland”, appeared on STV News, and gave interviews to The Herald and The Times, raising awareness of sleep as a public health concern and encouraging national conversation.
Outcomes and Policy Impact:
The ultimate goal of this work is to influence policy development and strategic investment in sleep health across Scotland. The findings from this national survey will be used to:
– Produce a policy brief outlining public opinion and recommendations, to be shared with the Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, and NHS boards.
– Develop an infographic report for public and practitioner use, translating key findings into accessible messages.
– Inform the design of a proposed National Sleep Strategy for Scotland.
– Guide curriculum change and school-based education on sleep.
– Support the integration of sleep into workplace wellbeing policies and public health campaigns.
– Strengthen the case for funded research and intervention development, particularly in populations facing sleep-related inequalities.
Preliminary findings will be submitted to World Sleep 2025 in the May abstract submission window to contribute to global discussions around population-level sleep promotion.
By directly involving the public and providing real-world data on perceptions, challenges, and ideas for change, this activity bridges research and policy. It ensures the voices of those most affected—workers, parents, students, and communities—are heard and used to shape a healthier, better-rested Scotland.
Location: St Andrews, Scotland, UK
Date of Activity: 14/03/2025
Submitted by: Dr Emma Louise Gale
