23 October 2011

'Communities, Wellbeing and Science' - public event, Sat Oct 29th

The impacts - both positive and negative - that health and wellbeing issues have on people’s lives will be explored at a day of public engagement hosted by the Social Dimensions of Health Institute (SDHI) in Dundee on Saturday October 29th.

The 'Communities, Wellbeing, and Science' event in the Central Library will involve a wide ranging mix of health researchers, geographers, designers, psychologists, philosophers, and computing specialists who will present and discuss their work in innovative and creative ways.

There will even be a 'Who wants to be a millionaire' style quiz in the Steps Theatre which the public will be invited to take part.

The Social Dimensions of Health Institute is a joint initiative between the Universities of Dundee and St Andrews. It examines health and social wellbeing issues affecting peoples’ lives, bringing together a range of different research disciplines, practitioners and the public.

'We are always keen to build bridges between academic and practice communities and with the public at large, and this day is an excellent way of doing that,' said Dr Fred Comerford, manager of the SDHI.

'We want to learn about the experiences, views and ideas that the people of Scotland have with health, wellbeing and opportunities for social participation. One of our primary concerns is to carry out research that is relevant and which ultimately helps to improve people's health and wellbeing.

'We are deliberately holding the day in a space where the public are comfortable, rather than on a university campus or a medical setting. We are inviting people to share their experiences in dealing with health care professionals. For instance, we will look into how positively people rate their encounters with doctors and what may lie behind such ratings.

'People will be able to discuss and creatively map their thoughts, views and ideas about what matters to them about health care and how it affects their lives.'

Among the projects featured on the day will be one which examines the importance of understanding loneliness and its influence on health and wellbeing. Another will discuss the Institute’s work on protection of vulnerable adults.

There are contributions from the Masters programme at Duncan of Jordan College of Arts and Design, including innovative jewellery designed for people with disabilities, and accessible urban landscape design for relaxation, communication and wellbeing.

There will also be stands with information on Cardiac Rehabilitation, health inequalities, work with people diagnosed with dementia, and information about a register of people in Scotland who may be willing to share their own health care experiences.

The varied programme of the day will start at 10am and will last until 4pm, within the Central Library, Wellgate Centre, Dundee.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Social Dimensions of Health Institute (SDHI) is an organisation which encompasses the variety of inter-disciplinary health-related research being conducted in both the University of Dundee and the University of St Andrews.

The Institute brings together leading:

• social scientists
• medical researchers and practitioners
• nurses
• midwives
• allied health professionals
• doctors and
• paramedics

to tackle issues of widespread public and political concern.

For more information see: www.sdhi.ac.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902