The Arts, Health, and Social Change Research Group's commitment to addressing pressing societal issues is exemplified through strategic collaborations. Our partnership with the NHS signifies a significant step in advancing research that can directly impact healthcare practices and patient well-being.
Working closely with Brunel Business School, we aim to develop projects that promote well-being in education. This collaboration recognizes the critical role education plays in shaping future generations' mental and emotional health. By integrating arts-based approaches, we aspire to create innovative solutions for educational settings.
Additionally, our association with Brunel Medical School underscores our dedication to pioneering projects within the healthcare domain. These projects will not only enhance the quality of healthcare services but also explore the therapeutic potential of arts-based interventions.
Furthermore, our focus on commercial potentials demonstrates our commitment to translating research into tangible benefits. By exploring new technologies and approaches, piloting intervention development, and engaging in social research, we aim to create practical solutions that can have a positive impact on individuals and communities.
International Research
p_ART_icipate
p_ART_icipate, an AHRC-funded research project, investigates the potential for participatory art to promote and foster social inclusion, social connectedness and wellbeing for the public remotely. Based on existing practice-based research on the impact of immersive, collaborative art engagements, this research project is anchored in a wider discourse around the cultural and societal impact of participatory arts within the Arts and Humanities.
The research team
The research team is led by Dr Olive Gingrich (University of Greenwich), Prof Dominik Havsteen-Franklin (Brunel University London/NHS Foundation Trust), Dr Claire Grant (NHS Foundation Trust CNWL London) and public health specialist Dr Ula Tymoszuk.
Research partners
The activity is supported by a team of artists, cultural partners, public health specialists, community organisations and other experts. These include: The Analema Group, The National Gallery, RNIB Northern Ireland, NeuroCreate, Noise Abatement Society, the charity Joy of Sound, and public health expert Prof Stephen Stansfeld.
SoundWheel
Our deep investigation in collaboration with SoundWheel has resulted in supporting the development of an exceptionally accessible musical well-being app that transcends conventional modes. This innovative app promises to revolutionise well-being support, ensuring it reaches a wider and more diverse audience.
Lead: Prof Dominik Havsteen-Franklin
International Doctoral Research
Our supervision of international PhD students is at the forefront of investigating creative advancements in various critical areas. From exploring Iranian migration to working with parents and refugees, delving into autism and music, addressing chronic pain through social music, to unravelling the neuroscience of art therapy in the context of brain injury, our collective efforts are expanding the boundaries of knowledge and improving outcomes in these vital domains.
- Sara Asman
- Houri Nateghnouri
- Nehama Grenimann Bauch
- Aous Mubarak
- Geruza Correa Saraiva Da Silva
Our production of a diverse range of seminars serves as a platform to delve deep into the philosophies and practices within the realm of arts and health. These seminars facilitate meaningful discussions and knowledge exchange, fostering a rich intellectual environment for the advancement of this field.
Lead: Prof Dominik Havsteen-Franklin
Our collaborations with Central and Northwest London NHS Foundation Trust Arts Psychotherapies (CNWL)
Healthcare Team Development (The CaRE Project)
Our ongoing research is dedicated to refining and innovating creative team development approaches that surpass traditional models. By fostering team cohesion and enhancing systems functioning, we aim to set new standards for effective collaboration, ultimately leading to improved outcomes in diverse and complex areas of healthcare.
Lead: Prof Dominik Havsteen-Franklin and Jenni de Knoop
Arts in Medicine: Brunel Medical School
We have organised a series of projects to be developed over the coming years in collaboration with Brunel Medical School to investigate areas of impact of arts and health, organisational systems, and clinical change process studies.
Lead: Prof Dominik Havsteen-Franklin
ELFT, CNWL and Queen Mary University of London: The ERA Study
We supported the manual development and clinical site provision for the largest Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) in arts therapies for heterogeneous groups in psychiatry ever undertaken. This ground breaking research promises to yield invaluable insights into the effectiveness of arts therapies in diverse psychiatric settings, contributing significantly to the field of mental health treatment.
Lead: Dr Catherine Carr
Imperial College Medical School
Our study on bias in health referral systems is a critical initiative aimed at addressing disparities in access to psychological therapies. By examining and mitigating bias, we seek to promote equal opportunities for individuals in need of these therapies. Our research will contribute to creating a more equitable healthcare system, ultimately improving mental health outcomes for all.
Lead: Prof Dominik Havsteen-Franklin
Arts Therapies Early Career Research Support
Our commitment to nurturing the research skills of medical students across diverse domains of arts-based practices in healthcare is poised to catalyse new advancements in medical knowledge. By empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals with these interdisciplinary skills, we aim to drive forward transformative developments in the field of medicine.
Lead: Prof Dominik Havsteen-Franklin
NHS Clinical Academic Collaborators
- Jorge Camarena
- Dr Jessica Collier
- Claire Grant
- Dr Erene Kaptani
- Jenni de Knoop
- Mary Oley
- Maria Radoje