Alice Haywood is a first-year Global Responsibility & Leadership student of French, English, and Irish descent. She grew up all around Europe, having moved 15 times(!). After graduating from the United World College (UWC) Adriatic, an international boarding school that significantly influenced her choice to study GRL, Alice made Leeuwarden her current home. Keep reading for a tender, inspiring, and genuine read!

Alice, congratulations on winning the Enterprijs grant! We read that the idea was inspired by your desire to communicate with your sister. When did the idea come to you, and how did it first start?

It is hard for me to pinpoint exactly when the idea first came to mind because it has been brewing in my thoughts for the past 10 years. I believe it all started when my mom composed the first tunes, particularly the goodbye tune, which was indeed 10 years ago. That’s when I began to realize the potential of this idea and decided to pursue a grant. Back then, my high school offered the opportunity to win a "Go Make a Difference" grant. I suggested to Iva, my roommate at the time, that we apply together. I thought, “Why not?” It was a fantastic way to stay in touch with someone I cared about and an opportunity to pursue something I had been thinking about for a long time, so I decided to take that chance. We ended up winning the "Go Make a Difference" grant!

How did you go from having an idea to actually making it happen? Did you know what to do, like making tunes and setting up the app?

Not at all! I had the idea, but I had little knowledge of how to figure out the technical details. Iva has a talent and passion for music, so she translated our ideas into musical tunes. We also needed someone who could code. Initially, I tried to learn coding myself in my spare time, but I soon realized it was too difficult to learn on my own. So, I reached out to someone we knew who could do it. It was a team effort, and we made it happen together.

What do you envision for Autimelody in the future?

I definitely think it can have an impact on people who have difficulty communicating, regardless of their specific condition. While I was inspired by my sister, who has Kleefstra syndrome, Autimelody could benefit other groups as well. Research and trials would need to be conducted to assess this and scale it up, so I hope the future goes in that direction. I don’t want to just write an academic paper about it; I want it to take shape through actual trials and implementation. The more people we can help with it, the better!

❝ I don’t want to just write an academic paper about it; I want it to take shape through actual trials and implementation. The more people we can help with it, the better! ❞

Have you tried reaching out to research groups interested in validating and professionally implementing this idea?

During my first year of GRL, I reached out to several parties I thought might be interested in this research. I was very enthusiastic and had a lot of energy to make it happen. However, as a first-year student still developing the necessary skills, those I contacted were cautious about immediately jumping on this idea with me. After a few attempts, I was tired of hitting a wall and stopped trying until the Enterprijs opportunity came along, which I decided to seize immediately.

What track are you currently following in GRL?

At the moment, I am pursuing both Energy, Ecology, and Climate and Global Health & Psychology. I hope I can keep up with both! Initially, I was set on focusing on the environment, which I felt was my passion and the area where I wanted to make a difference. However, the Autimelody project expanded my interest to include health and psychology, which I am now exploring through my studies. We’ll see what happens next!

Is there anything else that we haven’t discussed, or that other news outlets haven't asked, that you think is important to mention?

I talked about this with my parents and asked them the same question: "What would you ask in an interview about this? What would you want to know?" My mom suggested, “Why don’t other means of helping this target group communicate work?” Based on my experience, there are various reasons why other methods might not work, depending on the specific condition affecting the person. For instance, pictograms are often used as a visual means of communication, but my sister's eyesight is compromised, and she cannot see well. Plus, the pictures are in black and white, making them less engaging and harder for her to process and distinguish. This is why each case needs to be assessed individually. In my sister’s case, Kleefstra syndrome is rare and degenerative; she speaks and understands three languages but struggles to articulate due to hypotonia of the mouth. While symptoms can vary widely and be unpredictable, music often transcends these barriers.

Music is a universal language. Autimelody is designed to be used anywhere and transferred from one place to another. For a healthcare professional, this means the tunes go with them wherever and whenever needed. You can also change the language of the app interface for carers from different countries to access with more ease.

❝ Music is a universal language. Autimelody is designed to be used anywhere and transferred from one place to another. ❞

Are the tunes you use original?

Yes, the tunes are created by us. As I mentioned, Iva has a talent for it. I have an idea in mind, and she manages to translate it into music! We strive to create tunes that reflect the actions they accompany. For instance, brushing teeth is a repetitive action, so the music follows that rhythm. Cycling has a spinning motion, so the music reflects that. Showering involves falling water, which resembles the sound of rain, and so on. We strive to make every melody perfect.

Currently, we have 24 Audigrams and 50 more planned! The existing tunes cover important basics like visiting family, going to the doctor, taking medication, putting on clothes, and other routine activities. I think this can also help children, making it a versatile tool with lots of potential. Some examples of ones we want to make include: fireworks, birthday, train, computer, watering plants, drying hair and so many more!

Would you consider doing a PhD?

YES! I am eager to see how Autimelody develops over the years. If I could skip forward two years and focus solely on Autimelody with a PhD, I would do it right away. If Autimelody could be my life, I would make it happen today!

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