Launch Event: Edgehill University Research Centre for Arts and Wellbeing

A hybrid in-person and online event at Edge Hill University launched its new Research Centre for Arts and Wellbeing. The programme included performances, workshops, and presentations to mark the centre’s founding manifesto, and its recommendations for scaling up place-based arts initiatives. The launch of this Lab-affiliated centre, which has since won a record grant of £2.5 million to help advance the arts and health in youth projects (Arts4Us), showcased groundbreaking new research proving how the arts can tackle health inequalities, with the right policy to back it. The event also highlighted the centre’s research into the role of the arts in supporting helping professionals. A keynote speech was delivered by Dr Darren Henley (CEO, Arts Council England) and Professor Vicky Karkou (Director, Research Centre for Arts and Wellbeing), who said, “The work of the centre will benefit a wide range of people including individuals and communities that are disadvantaged or marginalised.”

20 June 2023 | Creative Approaches to Addressing Health Inequalities

On day 1 of the launch, Dr Nils Fietje (Founding Co-Director, JAHL) delivered a keynote speech, which was followed by a panel discussion, presentations, and a second keynote speech by Dr Darren Henley (CEO, Arts Council England).

21 June 2023 | Research Activities of the Research Centre and the Alliance

On day 2, Dr Nisha Sajnani (Founding Co-Director, JAHL) delivered a keynote speech, which was followed by discussions on the wellbeing of helping professionals and carers, panel discussions on health research, and a series of performances.