New Publication: Social context, art making processes and creative output

Congratulations to SDHI researchers Jacqui Morris, Madalina Toma, Chris Kelly and Thilo Kroll, in collaboration with researchers from NHS Tayside, Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust, Massey University (New Zealand), University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee and University of Stirling who have recently published this paper ‘Social context, art making processes and creative output: a qualitative study exploring how psychosocial benefits of art participation during stroke rehabilitation occur’ in the journal of Disability and Rehabilitation.

Read the full article here

Early Years and Cancer Prevention: Call for applications

The CRUK/Bupa Foundation Cancer Prevention Initiative aims to tackle cancer by funding cutting edge research into behavioural and lifestyle changes that can prevent people getting cancer. As part of the Initiative, the Bupa Foundation Fund catalyses new multidisciplinary collaborations and develop innovative, pioneering research in cancer prevention via a series of sandpit workshops.

The 3-day workshops bring together a diverse range of expertise to develop new multidisciplinary and innovative research ideas, with successful project teams awarded up to £20,000 seed-funding, to conduct pilot and feasibility work for a 12-month period. The first two workshops have tackled cancer prevention challenges for ‘harder to reach groups’ and ‘risk perceptions’. Take a look at the exciting new projects funded from the first (PDF, 1.99MB) and second (PDF, 1.87MB) workshops.

The next Innovation Workshop will focus on ‘early years’, to develop new research into health behaviour change for cancer prevention in children and young people (0-24 years). The workshop will take place 15-17 September 2015 at Milton Hill House, Oxfordshire.

Applications are now open and welcome across a range of academic, industry and community sectors. Participants will be expected to engage constructively with each other, the event facilitators, the Director and Subject-Guides to develop collaborative research ideas during the sandpit.

The deadline for applications is 31 July, 2015. Apply now or contact Dr Lucy Davies, 020 3469 8824 for more information

Photographic Exhibition – New Routes of Discovery

This pilot-project used photography as a tool to increase self-awareness and self-esteem among people from stigmatised and marginalised backgrounds. The focus was a self-reporting approach where the participants had the opportunity to portray and reflect on their reality as a means to achieve a better understanding of their life challenges and the ways to overcome them.

To find out more about this project please visit the website at http://www.newroutesofdiscovery.uk/

Forests as places of mental well-being for people with dementia

The Forestry Commission Scotland has recently published this 12-page Research Note based on a PhD research study currently being carried out by Mandy Cook, Forest Ranger and PhD student at the University of Dundee. Mandy is co-supervised by SDHI members Ed Hall and Thilo Kroll and is currently evaluating the benefits of a Woodland Activity Programme that has been designed and organised collaboratively between the Forestry Commission Scotland, University of Dundee and Alzheimer Scotland.

To read Mandy’s findings please click here

Job opportunity for Research Associate

SDHI is currently seeking an experienced researcher with previous experience of working with older people with sensory impairment/s using assistive technology aids (preferred) or a willingness to be trained in this area, handing and interpreting both quantitative and qualitative data and with excellent organisational skills, to work for 18 months 1.0 WTE on a CSO funded project. The post involves providing support to the PI and co-investigators in preparing ethics applications, conducting interviews, analysing data, organising research and advisory group meetings and disseminating research findings to a wide range of stakeholder groups. The project focuses on pharmaceutical care management of community-dwelling older people with sensory impairment/s who take multiple medicines (polypharmacy).

The closing date for applications is 3rd July 2015, with interviews to be conducted during the week of the 13th July 2015.

For further information please click here

ESRC NCRM Autumn School 2015 for Early Career Researchers: Radical Interdisciplinarity in the social sciences

The National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) will be holding the tenth residential training event for early career researchers on 9-11 September 2015 in Edinburgh. The Autumn School is led by Professor Graham Crow.

The NCRM Autumn School programme is designed to cover various aspects of the methodological implications of research and researchers moving across and beyond disciplinary boundaries. Recently there have been interesting and challenging debates about social sciences being ‘shaken up’ in radical ways as ideas and methodological practices cross the boundaries of the social sciences. For example, see Amanda Goodall and Andrew Oswald’s thought-provoking article ‘Do the social sciences need a shake up?’

There are 25 fully funded (travel, accommodation) places for early career researchers from across the social sciences, including some from NCRM, some from other academic institutions, and some from other sectors. The audience will be mixed in terms of disciplines, methodological traditions and substantive areas of research.

Further information is available here