A short symposium launching the interactive digital graphic novel “Things and the mind”.
On the 21st of October, 13:00-15:00 we held a virtual symposium to launch the world’s 1st graphic novel and interactive digital tool co-created with students about how mental health relates to things, spaces and places that surround us!
The symposium included a brief introductions by Dr Alyson Dodd (SMaRTeN) and Dr Nataša Lacković (project PI), before moving into a panel session with a diverse group of speakers and stakeholders from across relevant sectors including HE policy, mental health services, and the creative arts. Our guest speakers shared their thoughts relating to the graphic novel, its application and their own work, prompted by the questions posed by Dr Lacković. The panel session was chaired by Dr Alyson Dodd (SMaRTeN). Attendees were invited to post questions and participate in a Q&A session in the end.
Please check back for a recording of the session and further information about future activity related to the project.
On the 21st of October, 13:00-15:00 we held a virtual symposium to launch the world’s 1st graphic novel and interactive digital tool co-created with students about how mental health relates to things, spaces and places that surround us!
The symposium included a brief introductions by Dr Alyson Dodd (SMaRTeN) and Dr Nataša Lacković (project PI), before moving into a panel session with a diverse group of speakers and stakeholders from across relevant sectors including HE policy, mental health services, and the creative arts. Our guest speakers shared their thoughts relating to the graphic novel, its application and their own work, prompted by the questions posed by Dr Lacković. The panel session was chaired by Dr Alyson Dodd (SMaRTeN). Attendees were invited to post questions and participate in a Q&A session in the end.
Please check back for a recording of the session and further information about future activity related to the project.
Event Overview
Image credit: Andi Setiawan 2021
“Things and the mind” as a graphic novel and interactive digital tool were born out of the research project led by Dr Nataša Lacković (Lancaster University), supported by SMaRTeN, the UK’s largest student mental health network, funded by the ESRC/UKRI, and an ESRC impact grant.
This is the first graphic novel and digital resource globally to visually narrate authentic stories by a diverse group of national and international students studying in one country (the UK). It shows and tells links between their mental health and everyday materiality, such as personal items, indoor or outdoor “things”, greenery, spaces, and places.
You can read more about this activity on our funded research page.
Dr Dodd and Dr Lacković will be joined by an array of speakers representing HE policy, NHS, student accommodation services, biophilic design, mental health curriculum and teaching, student services, charity, graphic artists, and students.
This is the first graphic novel and digital resource globally to visually narrate authentic stories by a diverse group of national and international students studying in one country (the UK). It shows and tells links between their mental health and everyday materiality, such as personal items, indoor or outdoor “things”, greenery, spaces, and places.
You can read more about this activity on our funded research page.
Dr Dodd and Dr Lacković will be joined by an array of speakers representing HE policy, NHS, student accommodation services, biophilic design, mental health curriculum and teaching, student services, charity, graphic artists, and students.
Panellists
Julia Hass, Student Wellbeing & Welfare Manager, King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) and ESRC Funded PhD student in University Peer Support for Student Mental Health and Wellbeing, King’s College London
Julia is a Higher Education professional with 10 years of experience in university health promotion, peer support and student wellbeing and welfare in the USA and UK. At KCLSU, she has built a sector-leading student-led wellbeing service through the student union. Now, she is focusing her efforts on developing the underpinning research of university peer support for student mental health and wellbeing in partnership with Student Minds.
Julia is a Higher Education professional with 10 years of experience in university health promotion, peer support and student wellbeing and welfare in the USA and UK. At KCLSU, she has built a sector-leading student-led wellbeing service through the student union. Now, she is focusing her efforts on developing the underpinning research of university peer support for student mental health and wellbeing in partnership with Student Minds.
Lucy Sullivan, Creator of BARKING
Lucy is a comics and zine author and artist, the creator of graphic novel memoir BARKING, supported by Arts Council England & National lottery funding, and the winner of ‘Break Out Talent’ 2019 & Nominated ‘Best Artist’ 2020 in the Broken Frontier Awards.
Lucy is a comics and zine author and artist, the creator of graphic novel memoir BARKING, supported by Arts Council England & National lottery funding, and the winner of ‘Break Out Talent’ 2019 & Nominated ‘Best Artist’ 2020 in the Broken Frontier Awards.
Jenny Shaw, Student Experience Director for Unite Students
Jenny previously worked at senior level in the UK higher education sector to widen participation in higher education and open up new pathways to university for underrepresented groups. Unite Students is the UK's leading manager and developer of safe and secure student accommodation, with 74,000 beds across the country.
Jenny previously worked at senior level in the UK higher education sector to widen participation in higher education and open up new pathways to university for underrepresented groups. Unite Students is the UK's leading manager and developer of safe and secure student accommodation, with 74,000 beds across the country.
Amy Dicks, Policy Researcher at Universities UK
Universities UK is the collective voice of 140 universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Through her work at Universities UK, Amy is involved in activity across mental health, social mobility and widening access. Prior to joining UUK, Amy worked in a student facing role at the University of Westminster. She has a master’s degree in education specialising in social justice, equity, and inclusion.
Universities UK is the collective voice of 140 universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Through her work at Universities UK, Amy is involved in activity across mental health, social mobility and widening access. Prior to joining UUK, Amy worked in a student facing role at the University of Westminster. She has a master’s degree in education specialising in social justice, equity, and inclusion.
Dr Sarah Wicks MBChB (Liverpool) MRCGP, GP partner at Lancaster Medical Practice.
Sarah has been working in the Lancaster area for around 15 years, both in the hospital and in general practice. She is currently the clinical lead for mental health within the practice. Sarah works with and liaise with General Practitioners, Mental Health Practitioners, Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners, our Mental Health Pharmacist, our Management team and wider Mental Health Services in order to develop and shape the care of our patients with mental health problems.
Sarah has been working in the Lancaster area for around 15 years, both in the hospital and in general practice. She is currently the clinical lead for mental health within the practice. Sarah works with and liaise with General Practitioners, Mental Health Practitioners, Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners, our Mental Health Pharmacist, our Management team and wider Mental Health Services in order to develop and shape the care of our patients with mental health problems.
André Tomlin, Managing Director of Minervation Ltd, Founder and Director of National Elf Service, Trustee at the Centre for Mental Health
André Tomlin is an Information Scientist with 20 years’ experience working in evidence-based healthcare. He has worked in the NHS, for Oxford University and since 2002 as Managing Director of Minervation Ltd, a digital agency who work with charities, universities and the public sector. Most recently André has been the driving force behind the Mental Elf and the National Elf Service; an innovative digital platform that helps professionals keep up to date with simple, clear and engaging summaries of evidence-based mental health research. André is a Trustee at the Centre for Mental Health and an Honorary Research Fellow at University College London Division of Psychiatry.
André Tomlin is an Information Scientist with 20 years’ experience working in evidence-based healthcare. He has worked in the NHS, for Oxford University and since 2002 as Managing Director of Minervation Ltd, a digital agency who work with charities, universities and the public sector. Most recently André has been the driving force behind the Mental Elf and the National Elf Service; an innovative digital platform that helps professionals keep up to date with simple, clear and engaging summaries of evidence-based mental health research. André is a Trustee at the Centre for Mental Health and an Honorary Research Fellow at University College London Division of Psychiatry.
Matt Morley, Founder of Biofilico healthy buildings and Founder of Biofit wellness concepts.
Matt is a biophilic design champion who works at the intersection of wellbeing and real estate. He is a certified green and healthy building professional, His podcast series 'Green & Healthy Places' explores themes of sustainability and wellness in real estate and hospitality today.
Matt is a biophilic design champion who works at the intersection of wellbeing and real estate. He is a certified green and healthy building professional, His podcast series 'Green & Healthy Places' explores themes of sustainability and wellness in real estate and hospitality today.
Dr Liz Brewster, Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at Lancaster Medical School at Lancaster University, UK.
Liz's research focuses on interventions for mental health and well-being in diverse settings including libraries, higher education and medical education. In 2018, she contributed to and co-edited the book Bibliotherapy (Facet). She has previously worked at the University of Sheffield and University of Leicester, undertaking research on topics ranging from telehealth to facilitating quality improvement in healthcare. Liz is a Co-I of the Lancaster University impact project linked to the interactive digital resource Things and the Mind.
Liz's research focuses on interventions for mental health and well-being in diverse settings including libraries, higher education and medical education. In 2018, she contributed to and co-edited the book Bibliotherapy (Facet). She has previously worked at the University of Sheffield and University of Leicester, undertaking research on topics ranging from telehealth to facilitating quality improvement in healthcare. Liz is a Co-I of the Lancaster University impact project linked to the interactive digital resource Things and the Mind.
Monika Conti, Things and the Mind Project Research Assistant
Monika is a Lancaster University and London School of Economics alumna and acted as the Student Research Assistant for the Things and the Mind project. She is also the Founder of Lancaster University students’ Mental Health Society. Monika is starting a new role as a Research and Policy Officer working on youth homelessness with LLamau in Wales in November 2021. Llamau represents Wales within the UK End Youth Homelessness Strategy/Campaign.
Monika is a Lancaster University and London School of Economics alumna and acted as the Student Research Assistant for the Things and the Mind project. She is also the Founder of Lancaster University students’ Mental Health Society. Monika is starting a new role as a Research and Policy Officer working on youth homelessness with LLamau in Wales in November 2021. Llamau represents Wales within the UK End Youth Homelessness Strategy/Campaign.
Image credit: Andi Setiawan 2021