Starting in September 2026, this new participatory action research project commissioned by Public Health Isle of Man will explore the structural, cultural and social conditions shaping everyday community wellbeing on the island.
I am delighted to be working alongside leading public health researchers from LJMU’s Public Health Institute on the project, including Dr Hannah Timpson, Beccy Harrison and Ellie McCoy. I will be focusing on the role of community-based cultural capital and arts policy in meeting priority public health objectives, including the future potential for creative health approaches to community wellbeing. The research complements ongoing steps towards the island becoming a Marmot Place, adopting a whole system, cross-sector strategy to improving place-based health equity.
I recently enjoyed a busman’s holiday to the Isle of Man – one of my favourite places – and began to explore the range of community arts projects and assets that exist to bring people together, including those linked to traditional island crafts and Manx heritage. We look forward to working with communities across the Isle of Man as the project progresses and learning more about the unique culture of the island.