Researchers increasingly use a measure called Time-on-Target, which describes the percentage of time a person’s blood pressure remains within a healthy range. Studies show that spending more time in this range is linked to lower risks of death, heart disease, and heart failure. Ideally, Time-on-Target would be calculated continuously, as a simple fraction of time spent within healthy limits. However, blood pressure is usually measured only occasionally using a cuff, meaning clinicians must estimate what happens between readings and may miss important fluctuations.
This is where SMARTSHAPE technology could make a difference. By enabling continuous, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, the technology has the potential to provide a much more complete picture of a person’s blood pressure throughout the day, leading to more accurate assessments and better-informed healthcare decisions.
At this year’s Pint of Science event, SMARTSHAPE researcher Autumn Johnson shared this work with members of the public, highlighting both the science behind the technology and its potential impact on everyday health.
For Autumn, the event was about more than simply presenting research findings.
“Presenting my research at Pint of Science was a particularly meaningful experience because it highlighted the importance of sharing scientific research with the wider public in an accessible, understandable way. The SMARTSHAPE’s technology has the potential to make a very positive difference to many lives, so being able to explain the research beyond an academic audience felt genuinely important. Events like this create an opportunity for people to engage directly with new technologies, ask questions, and better understand how research may eventually impact healthcare and everyday life.”
Irish language
One of the most unique aspects of the evening was that Autumn delivered her presentation in Irish, her native language, in a Gaeltacht region of Ireland.
A Gaeltacht is an area where Irish remains the primary community language and where Irish culture and traditions continue to be actively preserved. For Autumn, presenting cutting-edge scientific research in Irish carried special significance.
“One of the most memorable aspects of the experience was being able to present in Irish, my native language, in a Gaeltacht area. A Gaeltacht is a region of Ireland where Irish is still spoken as the main community language and where Irish culture and traditions are actively preserved. Presenting complex scientific ideas through Irish was especially significant because it demonstrated that modern research and innovation can be communicated through the language in a natural and meaningful way. It also helped make the discussion more inclusive and relatable for members of the local community, ensuring that important information is available to people in a language and format they are comfortable with. That connection between science, language, and community stood out strongly to me throughout the event.”
How research affects people’s lives
The audience’s response reinforced the value of making science accessible. Rather than focusing solely on technical details, attendees wanted to understand how the research could affect people’s lives and future healthcare.
“What stood out most was how thoughtful and practical the audience’s questions were. People wanted to understand why the research matters, how it connects to everyday life, and what impact it could have in the future. That made the discussion feel more meaningful and reminded me of the importance of communicating science in an accessible and relatable way.”
The event demonstrated how public engagement can bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world impact. By bringing conversations about innovative healthcare technologies into community settings—and even into local languages—researchers can help people better understand the advances that may one day shape the future of healthcare.
