Our Health projects create community-based research that invites local communities to set real-world research questions and agendas around health and wellbeing. The programme is based on the ‘science shops’ model that is used widely across Europe to try to bridge research institutes and wider society. Taking on Arthritis Together The research team, decided to use a research approach known as Community-based Participatory Research, to understand the lived experiences of people who have self-managed Arthritis over many years. Versus Arthritis and Our Health Research Team have partnered to form an exciting new community-based participatory research project that aims to improve the lives of people living with the disease. The research team, decided to use a research approach known as Community-based Participatory Research, to understand the lived experiences of people who have self-managed Arthritis over many years. Inspiration Dr Helen Szoor-McElhinney created and leads The EPSRC Our Health Interdisciplinary Community-University Research Programme. The projects Students are invited to select one of the following projects and form small interdisciplinary teams that will research the questions that have been posed by our community partners. Community partners feedback The relationships we create and build with our community partners form the essential foundations of the Our Health research projects. Our community partners direct and drive our research forward. About us In the summer of 2018, Our Health launched two interdisciplinary, community-based research pilot projects. The research questions had been proposed by local patient support groups. Excellent learning experiences Community-based research provides opportunities for the wider public to generate research ideas, questions and agendas. Apply The Our Health team encourages students from any discipline and any programme of study to apply if they are interested in community engaged research and enriched learning experiences. Cowrie scholars Our Health has partnered with the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation and the charity Versus Arthritis to offer British Black students enriched learning opportunities, in collaboration with the EPSRC InLightenUs project. Student learning reflections Students have told us that the Our Health projects allow them to develop skills and attributes beyond those acquired through their current programme of study. Our Health Twitter Follow us This article was published on 2024-08-22
