SDHI affiliated researcher Dr Jenna Breckenridge has won the College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing award for early career researchers. For two years in a row, SDHI researchers have won this prize. Last year, Dr Jacqui Morris received this award. Jenna is an occupational therapist by background and has worked as a qualitative researcher on a number of research projects. At present she is a postdoctoral researcher in the Scottish Improvement Science Collaborating Centre (SISCC), which is supported by SDHI. Her research focuses on addressing the inequalities experienced by vulnerable or under-represented groups and improving the accessibility, delivery and evaluation of health and social care services.
Monthly Archives: February 2015
Crossing Countries, Challenging Boundaries, Changing Lives Seminar Video Now Available
Reply
Jean Cathro and Judith Drake of the Social Enterprise ‘Crossing Countries’ presented on their 2014 trip to South Africa providing disabled students with opportunities for volunteering and both South African and Scottish partners with many valuable experiences that truly challenged boundaries. The video of the seminar presentation is available now
The second video contains the discussion following the presentation.
Students with disabilities who are interested in joining Judith and Jean on their 2015 trip can contact them directly at cctravellers.edinburgh@outlook.com You can read more about Crossing Countries on their website or Facebook page. Or you may follow them on twitter @CC_Travellers
Are most findings in psychology false? An activist’s perspective
The University of St Andrews School of Medicine is hosting this public seminar presented by Professor James Coyne who will deliver a provocative and lively talk on Tuesday 24th March at 3pm in Seminar Room 2 at the School of Medicine.
For further information please contact Gozde Ozakinci (go10 @st-andrews.ac.uk)
Self management and storytelling networking event
Join the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) for this free networking event to discuss self management and how storytelling can be used to champion the voice of lived experience. Attending the event is free and anyone with an interest in self management is welcome to participate.
This event will take place on Monday 30th March 2015 from 10am – 3.30pm and will be held in the Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, Old Hawkhill, Dundee DD1 5EN
Along with opportunities to tell your story and hear from others, you will also:
- Hear more from the Self Management Partnership and Practice team about the Self Management Network Scotland and our development work
- Learn about the work of Angus Community Health Partnership to support self management illustrated by stories from those who have benefitted from this work
- Take part in interactive workshops describing how to structure your storytelling and how stories can be used to define personal outcomes
- Scottish Recovery Network will close the day by sharing details about their Write to Recovery project
To register, please contact Lara at smns@alliance-scotland.org.uk with:
- Your name and e-mail address
- Your role and organisation (if applicable)
- Any access or dietary requirements
- And please let us know if you are happy for your e-mail address to be shared with other attendees at the event
If you have any questions please contact Lara at the above e-mail address or on 07701289590
SDHI hosted Round Table Discussion on ‘Craft, digital media, memories and dementia’
SDHI hosted a research round table on Monday, 16th February with visitors, Professor Cathy Treadaway,at the Centre for Applied Research in Inclusive Arts and Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University and Dr Gail Kenning, artist, researcher and educator at the Centre for Research in Learning and Change at the University of Technology in Sydney and visiting researcher to the University of Technology in Eindhoven.
Prof Cathy Treadaway, CARIAD Cardiff Metropolitan University; Dr Wendy Moncur, DJCAD University of Dundee and Dr Gail Kenning, UTS Sydney
Cathy and Gail spoke about a newly AHRC funded research project that focuses on the use of craft and digital media with people with advanced stages of dementia to enhance wellbeing and social connectivity. Their collaborative work is not only supported by academics but also by Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Positives charities, and involves a number of professionals in health, social care, technology as well as people with dementia at its heart. The discussion revolved around a number of key themes, the distinction between recreational use of art and craft (social model) and therapeutic intent (medical model); the perceived benefits of craft and art engagement in terms of social, cognitive and emotional connectedness, the distinction between the process of art and craft engagement and its product (its object), the role of aesthetics in addition to function, and the critical difference between a focus on effectiveness and meaningfulness. ‘Craft making’ as a communicative process was also viewed in terms of its innovative potential as a research method. In the discussion participated several SDHI affiliated researchers with arts therapy, psychology and public health backgrounds. The round table was further testimony of the growing activities between SDHI and the University of Dundee and the University of Technology, Sydney in the area of health and wellbeing.
David B Gray: A Close Friend, Researcher and Disability Rights Advocate Has Passed Away
David Gray speaking to students and staff at Dundee University in 2009
It is with great sadness that we learned about the death of Professor David B Gray, Washington University School of Medicine 
at the age of 71 in St Louis, Missouri. Dave was a close friend of SDHI, an inspiring researcher, mentor and disability rights advocate over five decades of his life. Dave came to Dundee twice in the past 6 years and we have worked with many of his excellent postgraduate occupational therapy research students. St Louis Public Radio (please see this link for an impressive vita of his life) has published an impressive testimony of his tremendous achievements and his amazing life. Apart from his relentless strive to improve the lives of people with disabilities through enhancing their participation and equal rights and his encyclopedic scientific mind what inspired those who had the pleasure to meet him most was his generosity and humility. Dave was a patient listener, always open for new ideas, and had a great sense of humour. And he encouraged people to challenge the status quo, the barriers that continue to exist and prevent many people with disabilities from engaging with and benefitting from society. Dave Gray will be missed by so many people around the globe, at a personal level, at a professional level. Thank you, Dave!
Crossing Countries: Challenging boundaries, changing lives – Seminar 23rd February 2015
SDHI is hosting a seminar presented by Jean Cathro and Judith Drake from Crossing Countries – a social enterprise which provides students with disabilities the opportunity to travel to and engage in voluntary work with communities in South Africa. This FREE seminar will be held in room 1G10, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee on Monday 23rd February at 3pm. ALL WELCOME.
For further information please see seminar flyer
Social Dimensions of Health Institute 