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Project
Background
The UK faces growing problems of public distrust of scientific evidence and public
health advice. Distrust of science indicates, at least, need for better communication
by scientists. But alongside distrust is a bigger problem – science is
becoming more, not less, elitist. Poorer communities experience most illness
and premature death, but they have the lowest rates of educational achievement,
most limited occupational opportunities, and few become part of the scientific
community.
London has one of the most disadvantaged, unhealthy, and yet, most studied UK
populations – where those studied have little access to London’s
scientific institutions. One means for reversing trends of distrust and elitism
is through involvement of young people in London in science itself – through
participatory science projects. This may lead to improved understanding and trust,
with knock-on impacts on health attitudes and behavior. Involving young people
could raise their aspirations and self-confidence. It may even inspire young
people in a quest for scientific careers – decreasing elitism.
Our aim
Our key aim is to explore the role of "participatory epidemiology" in
engaging young people from East London in science that affects their health and
well-being. This is a 3 year "intervention study", where the intervention
is LSHTM-supported participatory epidemiology projects undertaken by young people
from three state secondary schools in the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham
(LBBD). We use two issues, vaccination and asthma, as important tracer themes
- acting as contrasting issues that concern and affect young people and disadvantaged
communities particularly
Our objectives
- To undertake a series of participatory epidemiology-based
activities with young people from communities in London to
investigate their key health questions related to vaccination
and asthma
- To analyse the lay science learning experience
in the young people and the scientific team
- To analyse the intervention experience for
its potential as a model to improve access to science for young
people
- To produce an overall report of the findings
with recommendations for possible replicability.
Our methods
To analyse the intervention we will undertake
an in-depth longitudinal qualitative study exploring how participatory
involvement in science affects young people (and scientists) and
their mutual understanding. The project builds directly on pilot
work funded by the UK Department of Transport and the European
Social Fund. Project findings will be disseminated in collaboration
with the school children, schools and London councils. The study
will act as a model to inform future policy on the role of scientific
institutions in encouraging disadvantaged young people in UK society
to engage with science.
Link to original 2004 project webpages: http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/pehru/ourscience/2004
Pilot work: http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/pehru/traffic_samiya/index.htm
London regional distribution of young peoples’ participation
in further and higher education : http://www.hefce.ac.uk/Widen/polar/reg/map/lea/gor_lea_London.pdf
Information about Barking and Dagenham: http://www.lbbd.gov.uk/3-info/demographic-main.html |
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