This year, EURORDIS are proud to present the EURORDIS Volunteer Award to Allison Watson, recognising her remarkable leadership and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people living with rare epilepsies. #EURORDISAwards2026

As co-founder of Ring20 Research & Support UK CIO in 2014, and CEO since 2021, Allison has been a true visionary—driving awareness, research, and support for those affected by Ring Chromosome 20 Syndrome and related rare epilepsies, and offering hope to countless families.

Through establishing the UK Rare Epilepsies Together Network (UKRET) in 2021, she has brought together diverse and often underrepresented communities, fostering collaboration and strengthening their collective voice for change.

At the European level, Allison’s contributions as an ePAG Lead within ERN EpiCARE and an early ePAG Steering Committee member have been transformative. She pioneered shared leadership with clinicians, reinforced patient representation across the European Reference Networks, and helped deepen cooperation at both European and international levels.

👏  Learn more about Allison’s compassion, integrity, and steadfast belief in the power of collaborative change: https://go.eurordis.org/Awardees