1st C2D2 Conference pronounced a success by participants

Posted on 14 October 2013

Nearly 200 delegates turned out for the inaugural C2D2 Conference

My overall impression is that C2D2 is a major global player in chronic disease and disorders with both breadth and depth in tackling some globally significant problems with some strong partnerships.

Nicola Spence, Chief Executive, Science City York

The 1st C2D2 Conference, which was held between 25 & 26 September 2013, attracted very favourable feedback from the delegates who attended.

The Conference focused on two key themes: chronic infections and neurological and mental health disorders. A wide range of talks were given involving researchers from across the University who have received funding from C2D2 since it was established in the autumn of 2011. A presentation by two members of the Centre for Global Health Histories entitled 'History in global health: a tool for publicity or analysis' was immediately followed by a talk on new antimicrobial therapies by a member of the Biology Department and the Hull York Medical School (HYMS) which was in turn followed by a paper about analysing skeletal remains from different historical periods to chart the evolution of peridontal pathogens.

An inspiring plenary lecture on 'The Global Health Impacts of Syndemics of Chronic Infection' was delivered on the second morning by Professor Merrill Singer, Professor of Anthropology and Public Health at the University of Connecticut.

Alongside these papers there was a display of posters of other C2D2-funded projects plus several special interactive displays, including one on computational modelling of the human immune system and another on measuring the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease as a way of improving the regulation of medication. Two films created to showcase two of the projects and the research challenges underlying them received their premier showing. The event also features an exhibition on the history of Tuberculosis produced by the Centre for Global Health Histories and the premier of a digital art installation in the 3Sixty immersive space dramatising the chronic health issues of adolescents across the globe. This installation was the result of a collaboration between five different departments of the University.

It was nice to be exposed to the research and research styles of our colleagues in humanities. It certainly made for a more varied set of presentations and presentation styles. I also learnt quite a lot about things outside my own little speciality, a sentiment echoed by many other colleagues I spoke to. Perhaps this should be model for most symposia.

Michael Plevin, Lecturer, Biology

The audience was mainly drawn from within the University of York but also included colleagues from Durham, Sheffield Hallam, Hull, Loughborough, Bradford and Cambridge as well as invitees from the Wellcome Trust, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Smith and Nephew, Science City York and York City Council.

As an opportunity for researchers to explore the range of C2D2-funded projects and meet new colleagues from other discplines and share perspectives and ideas, the event was an outstanding success. It is clear from the feedback received that the majority of individuals came away with both a better understanding of other disciplinary approaches and fresh research ideas. The intention is to hold a second Conference in two years. By this time not only will many exciting developments within the existing funded projects have undoubtedly occurred but, in the wake of another funding round, there should also be a significant number of new projects to showcase.

Original press release for Conference

1st C2D2 Conference pronounced a success by participants

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