Launch of the 'Health in Urban Environments Event Series'

Through a series of workshops, lunchtime seminars, full day events and discussion sessions, we will gain insight into the historical development of the world’s cities and the social and environmental consequences of urbanisation.

By bringing together the social, physical and life sciences we will be able to explore this topic from many angles and celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of research at the University of York.

The series, which will begin in January and conclude in June in alignment with Clean Air Day, will be open to researchers, staff and students at the University of York.

Below is a summary of the events in the series. Please note that more details will be added over time. Click here to find out more and register for an event.

January

The history of pollution in York

Host: YESI and Research Theme Champion for Culture and Communication
Date/Time: 15th Jan 2019, 13:00-16:00
Location: K/G/07 King’s Manor
Audience: Invitation only
This workshop aims to bring together researchers from social, physical and life sciences to explore a potential research project into the the history of pollution in York.

Exploring transport in an African city context

Host: SEI-Y, Africa Network 
Date/Time: 22nd Jan 2019, 12:00-14:00
Location: G/N/020
Audience: Researchers at York, staff and students
During this lunchtime seminar, Amanda Ngabirano an urban planner and lecturer from Makere University, Kampala, Uganda, will discuss her relentless efforts to encourage the need to plan for riding bicycles as a mode of transport in Uganda’s capital Kampala.

March

AIR Network Exhibition

Host: SEI-Y and the Centre for Global Health Histories
Date: 4th-7th March 2019, 10:00-16:00
Location: Ron Cooke Hub
Audience: Researchers at York, staff and students (booking isn't required)
Since 2017, the AIR Network has brought together researchers and people who live and work in informal settlements to discuss the issue, raise awareness and explore new approaches to tackle air quality. The Network used a mixture of methods to discuss, explore and engage with the issue of air pollution, including theatre, visual arts, games, story-telling and music. This free exhibition charts the project’s development and successes, featuring photography, community art, and mapping.

Global pollution in urban environments

Hosts: YESI, SEI-Y and WACL
Date: 27th March 2019, 12:00-13:30
Location: ENV/105, Environment Building
Audience: Researchers at York, staff and students
During this lunchtime seminar, researchers at the University of York will discuss their research into global pollution in urban environments. Confirmed speakers include Dr Harry Vallack from the Stockholm Environment Institute and Dr. Adam Vaughan from the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL).

April

Transforming urban infrastructure: the role of religion and communities in urbanisation in Africa

Hosts: IGDC, SEI-Y and Africa Network
Date/Time: 11th April 2019, 12:00-13:30
Location: ENV/105, Environment Building
Audience: Researchers at York, staff and students
During this event researchers at the University of York will discuss their research into religious spaces. Confirmed speakers include Gareth Millington (Sociology) and Steve Cinderby (SEI-Y).

May

Human health and the total environment

Hosts: YESI and Research Theme Champion for Health and Wellbeing
Date: 2nd May 2019, 9:30-12:30
Location: Treehouse, Berrick Saul building, University of York
Audience: Researchers at York, staff and students
During this event researchers at the University of York will discuss their research around physical and mental health in urban environments.

June

Clean Air Day- air pollution in York

Hosts: YESI and WACL
Date/Time: 13th June 2019, 18:00-19:30
Location: TBC
Audience: Open to the public, staff and students at the University of York
This event will consist of a series of talks exploring research at the University of York into air pollution. This will be followed by interactive sessions, allowing the audience to ask the researchers their burning questions and gain ideas about what they can do for Clean Air day on the 20th June 2019.