Medical Histories: Creating Health Narratives
Lead Research Organisation:
Staffordshire University
Department Name: Faculty of Arts & Creative Technologies
Abstract
This project will generate new creative writings from north Staffordshire. Rooted in the occupational-health legacy of the past this network will bring together residents, employees, and patients with poets and novelists on one hand, and medical practitioners and policy makers on the other, to reflect on experiences of health, illness and medicine in the region. Through creative writing it is envisaged that participants will come to terms with their health experiences. This will be achieved by a series of workshops to be held in community, health and academic locations, featuring at least one guest writer at each event. Discussions, activities and readings will draw on personal experience and local knowledge to produce a series of writings from lay, creative and academic perspectives. Using an approach which places participants at the centre of the activity will ensure that the detail of the creative work produced will be driven by the community and our partners, rather than imposed by academics, and create a sense of worth and achievement which can be built upon in the future. The narratives generated by participants will provide a rich source of qualitative data for sociologists, historians and health experts to explore, analyse and interpret.
The long-term aim of the network will be to secure funding for a peripatetic writer in residence (to be attached to one of the partner organisations ideally to the NHS in north Staffordshire) with a view to establishing a permanent published and performance legacy for the project such as a play, short stories, or other creative output. The creative writer will be based in the community, accessible and responsive to local residents. The creative writer will facilitate encounters between practitioners and community to achieve significant creative output.
The long-term aim of the network will be to secure funding for a peripatetic writer in residence (to be attached to one of the partner organisations ideally to the NHS in north Staffordshire) with a view to establishing a permanent published and performance legacy for the project such as a play, short stories, or other creative output. The creative writer will be based in the community, accessible and responsive to local residents. The creative writer will facilitate encounters between practitioners and community to achieve significant creative output.
Planned Impact
This activity will be of benefit to academia, the public and third sectors (nationally, regionally and locally) and to the general public. It is the cultural impact of this research that will be of benefit in the first instance because, through using a participative approach the health narratives of people from north Staffordshire will be teased out and revealed in their own words and voices providing a rich seam of hitherto untapped data for use in a number of contexts.
This highly participatory approach through organised workshops with creative writers will ensure that beneficiaries enagage with the research network at an early stage. Members of the north Staffordshire community who become involved will gain the opportunity to enhance their creative writing skills and, through writing and sharing their stories or other creative outputs, self-esteem and self-efficacy - ultimately leading to enhanced self-confidence. It is their lived experiences which the creative writer partners will ensure is crafted into ouputs which are delivered in an accessible and tailored manner. It is envisaged that these narratives will have a resonance with the local community who and in so doing provide a platform for further work and research.
It is envisaged that the core activities could lead (through understanding and sharing health narratives) to cultural enrichment, a better quality of life, health and well-being for those involved and the north Staffordshire community in general. It is envisaged that the health narratives produced may, in the longer term, be used as a bottom-up approach to inform health policy makers and potentially lead to an improvement of health and social welfare in the area and eventually influence national public policy and legislation (feedback from formal creative writing courses suggest benefits of this kind).
This highly participatory approach through organised workshops with creative writers will ensure that beneficiaries enagage with the research network at an early stage. Members of the north Staffordshire community who become involved will gain the opportunity to enhance their creative writing skills and, through writing and sharing their stories or other creative outputs, self-esteem and self-efficacy - ultimately leading to enhanced self-confidence. It is their lived experiences which the creative writer partners will ensure is crafted into ouputs which are delivered in an accessible and tailored manner. It is envisaged that these narratives will have a resonance with the local community who and in so doing provide a platform for further work and research.
It is envisaged that the core activities could lead (through understanding and sharing health narratives) to cultural enrichment, a better quality of life, health and well-being for those involved and the north Staffordshire community in general. It is envisaged that the health narratives produced may, in the longer term, be used as a bottom-up approach to inform health policy makers and potentially lead to an improvement of health and social welfare in the area and eventually influence national public policy and legislation (feedback from formal creative writing courses suggest benefits of this kind).
Publications
| Title | And the Doctor Said.... Exhibition |
| Description | A touring exhibition containing creative writing and photographs from the And the Doctor Said... workshops. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | This exhibition was an important aspect of the impact of the project on participants. It enabled their writing to be shared with a wider audience, and there were opportunities to celebrate their achievements through the launch event. The exhibition was displayed at the Burslem School of Art and then the Henrion Gallery at Staffordshire University. It is now permanently on display in the Research and Enterprise Hub at Staffordshire University. It has been well publicised and has reached international audiences. Selected panels from the exhibition have been used in a Research Conference at Northumbria University and also at the Voices of Experience Conference in Stoke-on-Trent. Voices of Experience is a mutual support group for women who have experienced domestic violence, and some of its members took part in the 'And the Doctor Said...' project. The conference aimed to impact on understanding, attitudes, policy and practice. |
| Title | Images of Research Competition |
| Description | Two entries were submitted to the inaugural Staffordshire University Images of Research Competition in Winter 2014, and were included in an exhibition and book. The competition is designed to showcase research work using just an image and a 150 word summary of the research project. The focus is on the difference that the research makes, and how it has real world impact and produces real benefits. The competition resulted in an exhibition of the images in the Science Centre at Staffordshire University, which was launched at a reception event on 5th December 2014. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2014 |
| Impact | New audiences reached. |
| URL | http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/Images_of_Research_Brochure_tcm44-81659.pdf |
| Title | Project Film |
| Description | A film introducing the aims of the research project. The film was uploaded to the project website and has also been shown at numerous dissemination events. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | The film contributed to the overall cultural and artistic impact of the project, particularly as it helped in disseminating the project in an accessible way. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/welcome |
| Title | Project Film - Chrissie Hall, Life Story Writing workshops |
| Description | This short film captures stories relating to the workshops led by Chrissie Hall. It features interviews with project participants, and also footage of participants reading some of the work that was produced as part of the project. The film was produced by Unique Media Production at Staffordshire University. It is available on the project website. The film has been shown at numerous dissemination events. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | The film contributed to the overall cultural and artistic impact of the project. This includes contributing to the impact of the project on participants and the wider impact through disseminating the project in an accessible way. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/workshops |
| Title | Project Film - Dave Reeves, Local History and Healthcare |
| Description | A short film capturing the stories relating to Dave Reeves' workshops. Includes interviews with Dave Reeves and with project participants. Also includes extracts of the creative writing being read by participants themselves. The film was produced by Unique Media Production at Staffordshire University and is available on the project website. It has been shown at numerous dissemination events. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | The film contributed to the overall cultural and artistic impact of the project. This includes contributing to the impact of the project on participants and the wider impact through disseminating the project in an accessible way. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/workshops |
| Title | Project Film - Deborah McAndrew, Women and Healthcare |
| Description | This film includes interviews and still images telling the story of Deborah McAndrew's workshops, involving older women and teenaged Mums. The workshops took place at the Mitchell Arts Centre in Stoke-on-Trent. The film was produced by Unique Media Production at Staffordshire University, and can be viewed on the project website. It has also been shown at numerous dissemination events. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | The film contributed to the overall cultural and artistic impact of the project. This includes contributing to the impact of the project on participants and the wider impact through disseminating the project in an accessible way. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/workshops |
| Title | Project Film - Maria Whatton and Voices of Experience |
| Description | This film featured the workshops that took place with Voices of Experience. The workshops took place at the Emma Bridgewater Pottery Factory in Stoke-on-Trent, and were led by Maria Whatton. The film includes details of the workshop activities and includes an interview with one of the participants. It was produced by Unique Media Production at Staffordshire University, and can be accessed on the project website. It has been shown at numerous dissemination events. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | The film contributed to the overall cultural and artistic impact of the project. This includes contributing to the impact of the project on participants and the wider impact through disseminating the project in an accessible way. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/workshops |
| Title | Team Films - Alannah Tomkins |
| Description | One of a series of short films produced by Unique Media Production at Staffordshire University and featuring interviews with members of the project team. It can be viewed on the project website. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2012 |
| Impact | No specific impacts are known - it contributed generally to awareness and dissemination of the project. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/team |
| Title | Team Films - Deborah McAndrew |
| Description | One of a series of films produced by Unique Media Production at Staffordshire University and featuring interviews with project partners. The film is available on the project website. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2012 |
| Impact | No specific impacts are known. It contributed generally to the awareness and dissemination of the project. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/team |
| Title | Team Films - Geoff Walton |
| Description | One of a series of filmed interviews with members of the project team. This film is available on the project website. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | No specific impacts are known - it contributed generally to awareness and dissemination of the project. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/team |
| Title | Team Films - Jackie Reynolds |
| Description | One of a series of filmed interviews with the project team. The film is available on the project website. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | No specific impacts are known. It contributed generally to the awareness and dissemination of the project. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/team |
| Title | Team Films - Maria Whatton |
| Description | One of a series of short films produced by Unique Media Production at Staffordshire University and featuring interviews with project partners. The film can be viewed on the project website. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | No specific impacts are known. It contributed generally to the awareness and dissemination of the project. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/team |
| Title | Team Films - Mark Webster |
| Description | One of a series of short films recording interviews with the project team, which is available on the project website. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2012 |
| Impact | No specific impacts are known - it contributed generally to awareness and dissemination of the project. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/#!/team |
| Title | Women and Healthcare Audio-Documentary |
| Description | This 22 minute three-act audio-documentary was a key outcome from Deborah McAndrew's workshops. It features the words and the voices of participants, and is available on the project website. This 22 minute three-act audio-documentary was a key outcome from Deborah McAndrew's workshops. It features the words and the voices of participants and was produced by Unique Media Production at Staffordshire University. |
| Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Impact | It has been played, along with the project films, at a number of dissemination events. The impacts were primarily cultural and artistic for the individuals taking part. It has enabled the dissemination of the research in a more accessible way, and has sparked interest from academics in the methodological approach. |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org/video/audio_women_healthcare_docu.mp3 |
| Description | Our key research findings can be highlighted with reference to four main areas: 1) Use of creative writing as a research method Our project was innovative in using creative writing as a research method for exploring people's health experiences. We gained valuable learning through addressing the challenges that we faced in doing so: for example recruitment; the practicalities of the workshops; overcoming barriers to participation; partnership working, specific ethical challenges, and managing people's on-going involvement in the project. These challenges have been shared and discussed at dissemination events, and will also be included in forthcoming publications. 2) The value of participatory approaches We involved people in highly participatory ways, and this has provided the research team with a model for future working. Through their creative writing, participants were able to tell and present their stories in their own words, without having those narratives merged with those of others, as is more usual in qualitative research. Moreover, they were able to improve their skills in storytelling and creative writing. The project exhibition was a valuable opportunity to take the research findings back into the community, and the events to launch the exhibition and the book enabled people to celebrate and share their achievements. A number of people volunteered to read their work (on film and in person), thus actively taking part in the project dissemination. Each person who took part in the research received one of the project books. For many people, having their work published was very personally significant. Most recently, one of the project participants co-presented about the project at a conference. 3) New insights into people's health experiences Whilst there were challenges in undertaking this arts-based and highly participatory project, it was also very successful, in that it generated a wealth of creative writing offering real and unique insights into people's experiences. Many of the participants commented that they had neither talked about, nor written about, the experiences that they shared as part of this research. Moreover, the approach that we used meant that the experiences were presented in a very accessible way, that other people could engage with (and often identify with). There were a number of emergent themes that could be taken forward as the basis for further research: for example, people's sense of powerlessness; the particular issues for women who have experienced domestic violence, and also for those who have experienced mental distress and others who have been carers for older family members. 4) Research partnerships with creative writers Not only was our research valuable in terms of the partnership between universities, but we also gained useful experiences through working in partnership with creative writers. We received a great deal of interest about the project from freelance creative writers, such that we are looking to develop a network to take forward for future projects. In addition, members of the research team are actively seeking funding to continue to work in partnership with a number of the creative writers who were directly involved in the project. |
| Exploitation Route | We see the findings being taken forward in various ways. For the participants and the local audience, we feel that the findings can be used to support both cultural enrichment and the objectives of particular groups regarding impacting on health policy (e.g. campaigning for better services for victims of domestic violence). From a methodological perspective, we anticipate that other researchers will also explore using creative writing as a research method, and that they will gain useful insights from our research about working in partnership with creative writers. Similarly, creative writers working with communities (including writers in residence in health settings) can also use the findings, as they highlight a way in which creative writing can be developed around specific research topics. Academics from a range of disciplines (especially medical humanities), could build upon the findings of this project. Finally, we feel that medical practitioners could use the findings in a range of ways. They might, for example, undertake their own creative writing as part of professional development; this could be used to support two-way dialogue between practitioners and patients. We are seeking to use the project outputs in the initial training of health workers and social workers. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Education,Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://www.andthedoctorsaid.org |
| Description | Impact on Participants We evaluated our work through participant and practitioner questionnaires; a comments book in the exhibition, and through the filmed comments of participants that formed an integral part of the project outputs. The feedback that we received suggested that the project had a positive impact on people who took part in it. Many people had not done any creative writing since they had been at school; some noted an increase in confidence, feeling valued, enjoying working as part of a group, and the importance of their voices 'being heard'. Several participants noted that they had written about traumatic experiences for the first time, and one commented that she had found the process 'mentally healing'. People who left comments in the Visitor book at the exhibition (some of whom had taken part in some of the workshops), described the powerful impact of the work: "Fantastic stories! All different yet echoing similar experiences" "Such touching, personal & emotional stories. Amazing to hear others experiences & realise that none of us are alone in how we sometimes feel" "Powerful writing - these stories are important, valuable and moving in many ways. Thanks - what a privilege to be involved." "Powerful, emotive and mind blowing writing. Amazing that our stories are valued and can influence." In our commitment to participatory approaches, we continue to provide opportunities for the participants to experience on-going positive impacts from the project where possible, for example by encouraging active participation (including co-presenting) at a Writing and Writer's Conference at the Library of Birmingham in October 2014. Impact on Communities in North Staffordshire This project generated significant local interest. This was achieved through the design of the project, as our approach to developing participation meant that we made connections with many local organisations, services, clubs and groups. This was done through written communications, verbal presentations, and local radio interviews. We made new links and strengthened existing ones with the community venues that hosted the workshops. This included local arts and cultural venues, and a local business - Emma Bridgewater Pottery - that generously supported the project. The approach to disseminating the project, with a community exhibition and a freely available book, further developed the local impact. Impact on Researchers and Creative Writers For the research team involved in the project, it will have a lasting impact on their practice. The project has successfully piloted the use of creative writing as a research method in community groups, and established a highly participatory model of research practice, which the team are now actively seeking to develop in further research projects. This will build on the very positive collaboration between researchers at Staffordshire, Keele and Northumbria Universities, which has underpinned this project. Moreover, having widely disseminated the project findings and the methodology used, and having generated much interest at conferences and other events, we anticipate that it will have a wider impact on academic practice. The findings and resources from the project have been used by a members of the research team in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, spanning a range of different subject areas including Community and Participatory Art; Research Methods for Business Information Management, and Social Media Marketing across three awards: Communication and Public Relations, Games Design, and Web Design. The creative writers who led the project workshops all gave positive evaluation feedback and are keen to further develop similar work in partnership with universities. We also received interest in the project from many other freelance creative writers around the country, and we are aiming to develop a network of researchers and creative writers to share information of collaborative projects. Impact on Policy and Practice We have wherever possible targeted people working in health contexts with project information, invitations to events, and links to findings. The opportunity to try to shape services was of particular importance to the group 'Voices of Experience' that took part, as they are survivors of domestic violence. The group held their first conference in May 2014, and they exhibited some of the research outputs (their exhibition panels and research pottery) as part of the event. This is an example of the way in which the project has been able to contribute to wider initiatives for social change (and of the advantages of our participatory approach). We have been working on a follow-on bid for the And the Doctor Said project, which we are aiming to submit by the end of 2014. The new project seeks to strengthen the impact of the project on policy and practice. We will be working with colleagues in the Faculty of Health to use the resources created by the And the Doctor Said project within initial training for nurses and social workers. We will again work in partnership with creative writers to develop creative opportunities for two-way communication between health staff and research participants. We are also exploring ways of linking future work to the professional development of doctors, and to enable a writer in residence to work with community groups for a year. We anticipate that all of these initiatives will build on the success of 'And the Dcotor Said' and will impact on policy and practice. Wider Impact By creating the project website, that includes a series of films and an audio-documentary, we have aimed to reach audiences beyond the North Staffordshire area. These resources have been promoted through social media. Including Facebook and Twitter. We have also presented about the project at local, regional and national conferences, including Keele, Northumbria and Southampton Universities. In addition, we have engaged with non-academic audiences by presenting on two separate occasions at a Writing and Writer's Conference at the Library of Birmingham. Academic publications will also be forthcoming by early 2015. In 2015 we were successful in entering the the project in the Images of Research competition at Staffordshire University and the project was exhibited as one of the winning entries. In 2015 a submission was made for further funding from the AHRC but we were unsuccessful in being selected. However partnerships made with colleagues in Social Work and in Health at the University were developed as part of this process and continue to provide the basis for future collaborations. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | And the Doctor Said.... Creative Writing Workshops (with Chrissie Hall) |
| Organisation | Life Story Writing |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Two creative writing workshops took place on Tuesday 10th September and Tuesday 24th September 2013 at the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme They were led by Chrissie Hall, a life story writing facilitator. She worked with a mixed group of participants. The group engaged in discussions, activities and writing about their experiences of healthcare in North Staffordshire. Two one-day workshops with this group led to a wide range of writing for dissemination. The role of the research team was to make all of the practical arrangements for the workshops, to maintain the focus on the research objectives, and to disseminate the outputs. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Chrissie Hall was commissioned to facilitate the two workshops. She supported the participants to write about their experiences. |
| Impact | The workshops generated creative writing that has contributed to the results of the project. A short film was also made of the workshops, and is shared on the project website. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | ARC Exchange Event (Lunchtime seminar) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | A lunchtime seminar event in the Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies at Staffordshire University.The event was led by Jackie Reynolds; it included a presentation, a showing of the project films, and the viewing of the project exhibition. There was also a question and answer session involving the academic audience. Common research interests were identified between a member of the research team and a colleague in another subject area, which led to a collaboration on a future AHRC project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | And the Doctor Said... Project Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A high quality, professionally produced exhibition of the project was produced to showcase extracts of the work that was produced by participants. The exhibition panels also featured photographs from the workshops, as well as contextual information about the project. It was displayed at the Burslem School of Art for a month, then at the Henrion Gallery at Staffordshire University for a further month. The exhibition is now permanently on display in the Research and Enterprise Hub in the Faculty of Arts and Creative technologies at Staffordshire University, and is also available to loan to any community/health venues who wish to display it. This activity contributed to the overall impact of the project as a whole in terms of cultural enrichment, personal impacts for participants, and raising awareness of issues relating to health and well being in North Staffordshire. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | And the Doctor said...Book Launch event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
| Results and Impact | This event was a celebration of the achievements of the project and particularly of the launch of the project book. The event included talks, readings by participants, the showing of films and the distribution of books. The event helped with the dissemination of the project by ensuring that the findings reached a wider audience. There were also positive impacts for people who had taken part in the project, as the occasion demonstrated the extent to which their contributions are valued. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Article in Creative Research Methods Blog |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | This article was submitted by Jackie Reynolds following participation in an AHRC-funded skills development project organised by researchers at Birmingham Institute of Art & Design (Birmingham City University) and Communication and Media Research Institute (University of Westminster). The article focused on the methodological approach used in the And the Doctor Said... project. Information shared with wider audience - impact unknown. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://creativeresearchmethods.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/and-the-doctor-said/ |
| Description | Article in Mailout |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Mailout is an online resource for people with an interest in community and participatory arts. We were invited to submit an article about Jackie Reynolds submitted an article called 'And the Doctor said...' which was published on the website on 2nd August 2013. We know from social media activity that this article generated interest, but we don't know of specific impacts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Conference display (Northumbria University) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | poster presentation |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a poster presentation at the Northumbria University Research Conference. It was given by Dr Geoff Walton, and it included other project exhibits, such as the research pottery. The conference was attended by about 300 people, with about 30-40 viewing the posters over the two days. The poster and other exhibits generated interest and questions and helped to disseminate the research. We are not aware of specific impacts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Conference display - Voices of Experience |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was a conference held by a mutual support group for women who have experienced domestic violence, called 'Voices of Experience'. The group displayed the exhibition panels and research pottery that they had created as part of the 'And the Doctor said...' project, and Jackie Reynolds attended the event to talk to people about the project. This was a valuable opportunity to use the outputs of our research to support a group of participants who are working to raise awareness, challenge thinking, and improve services for people experiencing domestic violence. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Conference presentation (Birmingham) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Jackie Reynolds and Michael Callan (writer and project participant) gave a talk about the And the Doctor Said.... project at the Writing and Writer's Conference at the Library of Birmingham in October 2014. It was a diverse audience, all of whom engaged well in the talk and in the question and answer session that followed. Two other project participants also attended the event and contributed to the discussions. This activity contributed to the on-going impact of the project on participants, by providing further opportunities to develop their writing practice and to share their experience of being involved in the project. It also enabled Jackie Reynolds to make connections with another creative practitioner who is interested in being involved in future projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Conference presentation (London) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Jackie Reynolds was an invited speaker at a conference at the British Library in London, called 'Portraying Ageing: Cultural Assumptions and Practical Implications'. The talk was entitled 'Stories of Creative Ageing', and featured the strand of 'And the Doctor Said...' in which Deborah McAndrew had worked with an intergenerational group to make an audio-documentary about their experiences of healthcare. The talk was filmed and included on the British Library's Youtube channel. Following the conference, Jackie Reynolds was invited to submit a paper to the journal 'Working with Older People' based on the talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDm4688NVzI |
| Description | Conference presentation (Southampton) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a presentation at the British Society of Gerontology annual conference at Southampton University in September 2014. Jackie Reynolds gave a talk about the And the Doctor Said... project, focusing on the strand of work carried out with Deborah McAndrew, who led an intergenerational group working together to record their experiences of healthcare in North Staffordshire, and then to develop and record a three-act audio documentary from their words. The talk was attended by approx. 20 delegates, and was followed by a lively question and answer session. It was also an opportunity to distribute some more of the project books, ensuring that they continue to be read by a wider national audience. The presentation led to discussions of potential joint working on future projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Exhibition Launch Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
| Results and Impact | A celebratory event to launch the And the Doctor Said... exhibition took place at the Burslem School of Art on 6th December 2013. All participants and project partners were invited. It was also open to the general public, and publicity was widely distributed. Refreshments were served. There were short talks by the project team, readings from participants, viewings of the project films, and a musical/literary performance by project partner Dave Reeves. Around 40 people attended the event. This activity contributed to the overall impact of the project as a whole in terms of cultural enrichment, personal impacts for participants, and raising awareness of issues relating to health and well being in North Staffordshire. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Lecture (to Research Methods students, Business Information Management |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr Geoff Walton used the 'And the Doctor Said...' website in the Level 6 Research Methods module for the Business Information Management (BIM) to demonstrate new ways of carrying out qualitative research. The award has roughly equal numbers of EU/UK and Chinese students. questions and discussion resulted from the talk. Contributed to the learning outcomes for these students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
| Description | Lecture (to students of Community & Participatory Arts) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A lecture given by Jackie Reynolds to students studying Community and Participatory Arts. The presentation/lecture focused on the partnership model of creative practitioners working with university researchers to deliver a project. It considered the perspectives of participants; ethical challenges, and critical success factors. Students engaged very positively in the discussion, and were interested in applying their new understandings to their own practices. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Lecture (to students of Social Media Marketing) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr Geoff Walton used the 'And the Doctor Said....' website as a resource in a level 5 module in Social Media Marketing. The module includes students from three awards: Communication and Public Relations, Games Design, and Web Design. It was used as a resource in a discussion about how not-for-profit organisations (including research projects) create a web presence. The project resources, including the website and the book, are contributing to overall learning outcomes for these students |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
| Description | Postgraduate Symposium (Keele) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr Alannah Tomkins gave a talk at the Keele Postgraduate Symposium in June 2014, in which she used the And the Doctor Said... project as an example of historical research using a creative methodology. About 20 people attended the talk and it was followed by a question and answer session. The talk contributed to the dissemination of the project across disciplinary boundaries. We are not aware of specific impacts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Presentation to European Partners |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Short talk to partners in a European project called 'Amores', focusing on creativity and e-learning. The project partners include academics and school teachers in six European countries: UK, Croatia, Denmark, Poland, Sweden and Greece. The talk focused on the project process and outcomes and included a time for questions and answers. The talk generated considerable interest, but we are not aware of specific impacts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Presentation to European partners |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Short talk to share the process and outcomes of the project. This talk was given by Jackie Reynolds to partners in a European project called 'Residency', which is researching models of civically engaged arts practice. It is a partnership between Staffordshire University, Warsaw University and Barcelona University. There was a good discussion and some of the partners expressed an interest in using similar methodologies in their own work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Public Lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One-hour public lecture about the project given by Jackie Reynolds as part of a Writer's Forum event at the Library of Birmingham. The talk included information about the process and outcomes of the research and some reading of the creative writing that was produced. It led to questions and discussion afterwards. It was clear to the researcher who presented that this event would provide a good opportunity for one or more of the project participants to co-present about the project and to share their work. This was subsequently arranged in time for the next conference in October 2014. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Radio interview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A radio interview on Six Towns Radio for the 'Kulture Klub' show, which focuses on local arts and culture news. Interview took place on Wednesday 4th December 2013 and lasted for approximately 45 minutes. The presenter was Lisa Wilding, and she interviewed Jackie Reynolds. This interview was an opportunity to discuss some of the findings of the research, and to encourage people to attend the launch of the project exhibition which was taking place later that week. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Radio interview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A radio interview given by Jackie Reynolds on BBC Radio Stoke. This radio interview was an opportunity to discuss the project and to invite further participation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Radio interview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A radio interview on Six Towns Radio for the 'Kulture Klub' show, which focuses on local arts and culture news. The presenter was Lisa Wilding, and she interviewed Jackie Reynolds. The interview took place on Wednesday 19th June 2013 and lasted for approximately 45 minutes. The interview was an opportunity to discuss the project and to encourage people to get involved. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |