This month I joined the International Arts Health Early Career Researchers Network (ECRN), led by Dr Daisy Fancourt.
Daisy is one of just ten BBC New Generation Thinkers 2017 and a World Economic Forum Global Shaper.
Daisy’s research focuses on the effects of arts participation on physiological and immune responses, the use of the arts within clinical settings, and the psychosocial impact of cultural engagement at an individual and public health level. Her work has made important contributions to the field of arts and health and won multiple awards. Daisy has recently published a highly practical book, Arts and Health: Designing and Researching Interventions.
The Network brings together early career researchers (defined as within 8 years of completing a PhD) working on projects that lie at the intersection of the arts, humanities, health and medicine.
The network has three aims:
– to LINK together early career researchers through social events, networking opportunities and workshops
– To provide podcasts and newsletters to help researchers LEARN more about the field
– to run training events and promote jobs to enable researchers to LEAD their own research projects
The LEARN programme aims to provide podcasts and other resources for early career researchers. Listen to one of the 5-minute podcasts to get a bitesize introduction to an area of research, policy or practice.
Networking Drinks
I’m now the North West lead for the Arts Health ECRN and have added the first north-west event to the diary: On 14th August at 8pm people are invited to The Dukes, a theatre in Lancaster, to share our work. Please register your interest in attending this social event here.
This event will follow the preview of an exhibition hosted by The Dukes, Dementia and Imagination: Making Connections Through Contemporary Art. Artworks made by participants with dementia, the exhibition is a result of a national research study, Dementia and Imagination. I had the pleasure and challenge of co-curating the exhibition in collaboration with artists from Nottingham Contemporary, Joanna Dacombe and Gillian Brent, as part of my role as a Lead Researcher.
I am grateful to The Dukes for hosting this and glad that the exhibition and its messages will again be accessible to the public. To have the exhibition in my current hometown Lancaster following the first showing in Chesterfield (where I grew up) is a happy turn of events. It’s also a beautiful coincidence of my old role on Dementia and Imagination meeting my new one with the ECRN. Thanks to Daisy and the team for having me!
London-based LINK event
On Friday 24th November, The ECRN will host a drinks reception LINK event in London, following the RSPH ‘Powerful Partners: Advancing Dementia Care through the Arts & Sciences’ conference. Register to attend here.
Art Thou Well 
Greatt blog post
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