An interactive workshop connecting arts and humanities research with health disciplines and professionals

1st September 2009

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) are working together in a strategic partnership to explore potential for enhancing knowledge exchange in the arts and humanities in Scotland.  To this end we will be co-hosting a series of themed workshop events to bring together arts and humanities researchers and non academic user communities to identify knowledge exchange successes to date and to explore potential for further activity. Arts and humanities research offers novel and exciting approaches that have profound impacts on society and the economy – its capacity to challenge conventional assumptions is an essential asset if innovation is to thrive.  This is combined with the ability to provide a sense of historical context, traditions and cultural settings in which society and the economy function.  These workshops will expose arts and humanities research to specific areas of policy interest to Scotland and provide new perspectives and novel opportunities for partnership working in future.

Experiencing health and illness in Scotland:  new perspectives

This workshop aims to bring arts and humanities researchers in Scotland together with partners from related disciplines and organisations to explore two related themes how arts and humanities subjects can contribute to;

i. new perspectives on the experience of health and illness in Scotland and
ii. new approaches to therapy and recovery in Scotland.

At a time when the health of the population is a key challenge faced by Scottish government and society a dialogue between the arts and humanities community and other agencies involved in the delivery of healthcare promises new insights into health, illness and recovery.  Key questions could include:

- What can the arts and humanities reveal about the experience of being healthy and being ill?
- How can the creative arts be used to help people express their experiences of health and illness?
- How can historians and philosophers aid an understanding of why people behave in ways that threaten their health?
- How far is it possible to speak of a popular code of medical ethics in Scotland that shapes expectations of health services?
- Is a Scottish aesthetic of health and illness traceable in art, literature and popular culture?
- What is the role of museums and libraries in representing ideas about health and illness back to Scottish communities?
- How should the media report on issues of health and illness in Scotland?

The core objective of the meeting will be to identify knowledge transfer opportunities so that arts and humanities researchers can work alongside those in government, the medical professions, health service user groups, the media and other related agencies to better understand the experience of health, illness and recovery in Scotland in the twenty-first century.  The common goal is to explore new ways of framing problems and driving solutions.

Programme

9.00 – 9.30        Convene and refreshments

9.30 – 10.45      Welcome

                        Keynote presentations: speakers to be confirmed

10.45 – 11.00    Refreshments

11.00 – 12.30    Open Space discussion (round 1)

12.30 – 1.15      Lunch

1.15 – 4.00        Open Space discussions (rounds 2 and 3)

                        (Tea and coffee served on tap)

4.00 – 4.45        Plenary – sharing of outcomes

4.45 – 5.00        Next steps

5.00                  Close

For any enquiries please email knowledgetransfer@ahrc.ac.uk