Climate change and global health sandpit success

The Population Health Science Institute (PHSI) have funding to facilitate a series of research sandpits as part of our ongoing goal to recognise and support population health researchers across the breadth of the university. A Sandpit is the name given to a discussion forum, where broad, interdisciplinary thinking is encouraged to interrogate specific topics of interest. The first of the PHSI Sandpit events was held in January on the topic of climate change and global health.

The meeting, chaired by Prof. Ellen Brooks-Pollock (PHSI Director), was attended by multidisciplinary colleagues from the University of Bristol. The aim was to bring together researchers with similar interests but different skills to discuss the topic of climate change with a view to applying for funding. The event was very successful and discussion continued in the weeks following the meeting culminating in the submission of an application to a UKRI funding call on preparedness for epidemic threats.  We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the sandpit.

If you have a particular grant you would like to apply for and would like support convening a team of experts to support the application, please get in touch (gemma.crawford@bristol.ac.uk) and we would be happy to discuss this further.

“Her name was Sita” – Film screening and panel event – M Shed 28th February 2024

*Warning: This article discusses suicidal behaviour. If you have questions on self-harm or feel suicidaluse this link to find an international helpline.*

The PHSI were delighted to support a public screening of ‘Her Name Was Sita’ – a short documentary exploring womanhood, virtue, shame, and suicide in Nepal. In Nepal, suicide is the single leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. It is a serious but neglected public health problem. ‘Her Name Was Sita’ explores the concept of a virtuous woman and how shame and honour can lead to self-harm and suicide in Nepal.

The event, held at the M Shed in Bristol, showcased the film created by film maker Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston, as part of a collaboration between the University of Bristol Suicide and Self Harm group (SASH) and the University of Edinburgh Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP). The film was followed by a panel discussion, which provided opportunity for a thought provoking conversation around the project and wider issues. The screening was well attended with 60 audience members from a variety of sectors including academia, charity, health, and the general public.

The trailer for the film can be found here, and more information is available on the CPSP​ website. To learn more about the University of Bristol SASH group, please visit their webpage.