School of Human and Health Sciences

The Institute for Health Citizenship

The Institute for Health Citizenship (IHC) is an exciting new cross-University initiative that seeks to apply transdisciplinary perspectives to contemporary issues on the interface between health and citizenship. Based on an ethos of social inclusion, the IHC will promote original and innovative discourses and approaches to concerns of health, wellbeing and citizenship in the 21st century. The potential range of areas for research is wide, including, for instance, policy concerns relating to demographic trends (an ageing workforce); debates on assisted suicide and euthanasia; stigmatisation and obesity; the undervaluing of informal work and emotional labour; and, issues of social exclusion relating to disability and mental health.

The IHC’s transdisciplinary approach is reflected in the disciplinary backgrounds of the co-founders: Dr Pamela Fisher (Sociology); Dr Abigail Locke (Social Psychology) and Dr Steve Swindells (Art and Design). The management team also includes Professor James Avis (Education) and Dr Chris Gifford (Sociology). The IHC will seek to build constructive collaborative partnerships with colleagues across the University.

The Institute for Health Citizenship is to be based on the Centre for Research for Social Sciences (CRISS) in the School of Human and Health Sciences. For further information, please contact either Pamela Fisher (p.l.fisher@hud.ac.uk) and or Abigail Locke (a.locke@hud.ac.uk)

Congratulations to Dr Abigail Locke CAPR (Centre for Applied Psychological Research), Professor James Avis (Centre for Post-compulsory Education), Dr Pamela Fisher (Centre for Research in Social Sciences) and Dr Steve Swindells (Centre for Research in Interdisciplinary Practice), who have successfully won £65,000 in the latest round of URF funding

The aim of the Institute for Health Citizenship which Abigail, James, Pamela and Steve are all Co-Directors is to employ a Research Fellow who will ensure the Institute’s long-term viability to gain external funding. The Institute is therefore a cross Centre and cross School initiative with an emphasis on trans-disciplinary approaches.

The Institute for Health Citizenship will be based on an ethos of social inclusion that seeks to promote inclusive and empowering discourses and innovative approaches towards contemporary concerns on health and citizenship interface.

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