What does it mean for research to be grounded in community?
For the WellHome study, our West London community is at the heart of what we do. Throughout our research process, insight and ideas from community members have been central to our study’s design and trajectory. During data collection, participants have opened their homes to our researchers and contributed essential information to the study. Now, this spring, our community came together once again to offer insight on how the WellHome results and data should be communicated.
During two sessions this spring, WellHome participants and researchers met over coffee and pastries at the study’s headquarters in White City to discuss the design and content of a future report. The groups considered many aspects of science communication, from what information to include in a report to how the study’s findings could be best represented. The outcomes of these conversations were adapted into the WellHome Preliminary Report for Participants, which will be released mid-July 2023.
The importance of these conversations extends well beyond our Preliminary Report. Participants emphasized what kinds of information and advice they are seeking to learn from the study, while offering valuable insight on matters from language and phrasing to graphic design. Ultimately, our team will continue to draw on these ideas as we create future communication materials, including upcoming reports on the study’s findings and recommendations.
With 100+ participating families and a vast network of indoor and outdoor air quality sensors, the body of data we’re collecting for the WellHome study is immense. As our team begins to unlock its potential to untangle the connections between indoor and outdoor air quality and health, communicating our findings will continue to be a priority. To ensure we do so in the most helpful ways possible, we are fortunate to have a wealth of knowledge and insight to draw on right here within the White City community.
Do you have ideas you’d like to contribute? Reach us at wellhome@imperial.ac.uk.
Sign up for email updates to the project to be the first to know about future workshops, community activities, and study results. You can also give us a follow on Twitter (@StudyWellHome), Instagram (@Wellhomestudy) or find out more in our Link Tree: Linktr.ee/WellHomeStudy
The co-designing workshops were designed and delivered by Molly Rains MSc Science Communication student with the support of the WellHome Team
WellHome Community Ambassadors Win Partner Award in President’s Excellence Awards for Societal Engagement
In a remarkable partnership with local families and community organisations, WellHome has been measuring air quality inside and outside over 100 homes in West London to better understand the causes and impacts of air pollution, particularly on children with asthma.
The WellHome Ambassadors have been instrumental in this initiative. Their contributions have been vital in building relationships, earning trust, and generating practical ideas for the WellHome Study. The Ambassadors come from all walks of life, representing West London's rich diversity.
Their role as trusted community contacts has laid the groundwork for future meaningful and equitable research, aligning with Imperial's strategy for authentic engagement. The full impact of their work is yet to be fully realised, but their foundational efforts are already making a significant difference.
Huge congratulations to all the winners and those working on the study.
Find out more about our Ambassadors.
Our ambassadors from L -R (image below) : Mutthu, Manon, (Dr Diana Varaden, Lecturer in Environmental Social Science and Health, and Lead on WellHome Study), Della, Munira and Nour.
