ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health Lunchtime Seminar Series

Speakers: John Reid, ANU School of Art; Tony Capon and Jane Dixon, NCEPH

Public health researchers are becoming cognisant of the value of accelerating the uptake of their research by communicating their evidence in a variety of ways. This seminar presents a unique collaboration between a National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH) research team and Field Studies, a program convened by John Reid, Environment Studio, ANU School of Art. Field Studies, which partners regularly with the Contemporary Music Ensemble, ANU School of Music, has developed over more than a decade its distinctive procedures for bringing artists and musicians together with scientists to create and compose work that meets curriculum requirements and also delivers community impact through public exhibition and performance.

A sustained collaboration with the MDBC (Murray Darling Basin Commission, now Authority) focused the Field Studies program’s attention on environmental issues of concern to small catchment communities in the MDB; and culminated with an ARC Linkage project (Engaging Visions Research Project, 2007-10) to refine field research procedures for creative artists particularly in relation to community engagement. Following the Engaging Visions Project and as a consequence of an internal Fenner School/NCEPH forum on environmental research initiatives, a Field Studies program was convened jointly with Prof Tony Capon and Dr Jane Dixon, NCEPH, in response to their current research on population health implications of anticipated climate change in the western part of the Sydney Basin.

This seminar will outline the scope of the program that resulted, The Contested Landscapes of Western Sydney (2010) , the opportunities it presented for both artists and scientists involved, and raise for discussion prospects for further art/science community engagement research and initiatives in the area of population health and wellbeing.

A selection of artwork inspired by the Contested Landscapes Field Study will be exhibited in the corridors of NCEPH in conjunction with the seminar.

About the speakers:

John Reid is a visual artist, teacher and researcher. He co-ordinates the Environment Studio and convenes the Field Studies program, ANU School of Art. As an artist he works with photography, performance and collage. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society.

Tony Capon is a public health physician with expertise in environmental health and health promotion. He convenes the Australian Climate Change Adaptation Research Network for Human Health and leads a CSIRO-funded research program on urban settlements, climate change and health at NCEPH.

Jane Dixon is Senior Fellow and food sociologist at NCEPH. She is interested in consumer and community power to shape food systems.