Across the UK academics, health professionals, voluntary organisations and communities (to name just a few) are using arts and humanities research and methodology to look at how we can improve the quality of life and wellbeing of the population. The Health Humanities Medal will celebrate and showcase the amazing work being done in this area by these individuals, teams and organisations.
Applications and nominations will be considered under five categories which cover the broad scope of research, impact and leadership within the field of health humanities. For each category a shortlist of submissions will be drawn up and a winner will be selected. An overall winner will then be selected from the five category winners to receive the Health Humanities Medal for 2018. The categories for 2018 are:
- Best Research
- Best Doctoral or Early Career Research
- Best International Research
- Inspiration Award
- Leadership Award
Professor Paul Crawford, at the University of Nottingham, who has led the development of this new award, comments:
“The arts and humanities are major forces in keeping people well, connecting them socially and restoring them to good health. Whether it’s music, visual arts, comedy, theatre, storytelling, reading groups, or any of the many other creative practices going on every day, the arts and humanities are like a shadow health service that works quietly and powerfully to transform lives and aid recovery.”
He adds:
“This is the first award of its kind in recognising the value of applying both arts and humanities research to the health of the nation. When I pioneered the field of health humanities in 2007, building a more inclusive vision of health and wellbeing not simply driven by medicine, or focused on the arts, it was the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) that supported this development, so it’s only fitting that the AHRC is playing a key part in launching these awards.”