You are warmly invited to join us for the launch of the Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities.
What would happen if health research was more creative, collaborative, risky and experimental? What if people with lived experience set the agenda? How can ‘blue skies’ research shift our thinking about mental health and health inequalities?
Join us at the launch of the Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities to explore a new vision for interdisciplinary health research.
Come and meet our researchers in an informal, interactive setting and find out more about our plans for the future.
All are welcome.
Wine, soft drinks, and canapés will be provided.
What is the Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities?
The Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities (DRP-MH) brings different groups of people together to collaborate in tackling barriers – of diversity, risk, evidence and scale – faced in medical humanities research. Based at Durham University, it aims to empower health and wellbeing researchers from different sectors, disciplines, and areas of expertise to co-develop new approaches to widespread health challenges.
The Platform is large in scale, global in reach, and innovative and experimental in its methods. Through international research networks, fellowships, and a wide range of voluntary and health sector partnerships, it will centre people with lived experience and people from marginalised communities as the co-creators of health research, including research on mental health and health inequalities.
Researchers on the Platform come from a wide range of arts and humanities and social science disciplines including Literary Studies, Psychology, Philosophy, History, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Education and Sociology.
Beyond Durham University, work on the Platform takes place across three physical sites including The DeepEnd (St Anthony’s Health Centre – a GP practice in one of the most deprived areas of the UK), The Wellspring (ReCoCo – a radical peer led mental health recovery college based in Newcastle upon Tyne) and The Festival (Edinburgh International Book Festival).
The Platform also hosts six ‘method Labs’ with expertise in measurement, affect, cognition, narrative and visual arts. The Labs will generate new research questions on topics such as chronic pain, addiction, mental health, movement, neurodiversity and disability, as well as critiquing storytelling practices around health and human experience.
The DRP-MH is supported by Durham University’s Institute for Medical Humanities and funded by Wellcome until 2030.
What will happen at the launch?
There will be some short speeches for about 15 minutes in total and then plenty of time to move around, chat with our researchers, and take part in interactive activities related to our research. Refreshments will be provided.
Will I be photographed or recorded?
There will be someone at the launch taking photos and a videographer who has been hired to take film footage for use on our website and social media after the event. If you don’t want to be photographed or recorded, we will give you a sticker to wear and ask the photographer and videographer not to include you.
Can I access a quiet space during the event?
Yes. There will be a quiet room you can use if you wish to have some time away from the main activities.
How do I get to the Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham?
The Radisson Blu Hotel is right in Durham city centre, about 900m from Durham Train station. Full directions can be found on the hotel website.
What about parking?
Parking is free but you will need to register your vehicle at reception on arrival.
How accessible is the venue?
The Radisson Blu Hotel is fully accessible: step-free access, disabled toilets, low lighting, quiet room.
Who do I contact for more information?
Please contact imh.mail@durham.ac.uk for any queries about this event.
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