Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health
Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health
We are a centre of excellence for transdisciplinary engaged arts, humanities and social science-led research on health and wellbeing: present, past and future. We bring together colleagues from across the Faculty and University to develop and expand collaborative research projects which increase understanding and effective action.
Current and recent large-scale projects based in the Centre include Shame and Medicine; Connecting Three Worlds; and Waiting Times. We encourage and facilitate a diverse set of interdisciplinary conversations and connections. These are ongoing around our broad research themes–health justice; critical health ecologies; experience, care and health—around more focused areas of interest—such as the social and cultural mycology group—and with a more open and general remit—suggestions welcome! Discussion and exchange are key to all productive academic enterprises and effective interventions to improve health. We also work closely with Egenis—the Centre for the Study of Life Sciences—and with the Centre for Medical History and the Sexual Knowledge Unit within the University.
We organise regular research seminars, networking and community building events, throughout the year. We host conferences and workshops, visiting researchers and speakers on diverse themes, from the archaeology of medical practice in ancient Macedonia to the sociology of dementia care, genetics and history to green prescribing. All are welcome!
In April 2024 the Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health (WCCEH) at Exeter became the University Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health (CCEH). Founded in 2017 WCCEH established a critical mass of humanities and social science (HASS) scholars with expertise and experience of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research on health and wellbeing, initially under the directorship of Professor Mark Jackson and then Professor Judy Green.
Committed to engaged research that enables health and well-being, WCCEH projects brought researchers, public partners, and health organisations together to address key health challenges, including: the health impacts of loneliness and social isolation; the value of different forms of evidence in health policy; the impact of relationships on children’s health; and community access to – and involvement in – research and data governance. We grappled with the health impacts of social and environmental inequalities and the social and cultural impacts of COVID-19.
See the WCCEH archives (link to old webpages)
We are committed to building and sustaining a Centre culture that is defined by: respect, inclusivity, generosity, safety, transparency, justice, and equality. Being a part of our Centre means sharing, upholding, and promoting these commitments in public and private. We expect all members of our community to adhere by these principles; this includes all Centre staff and students, as well as our collaborators, visitors to our Centre, and attendees at our events.
We are committed to anti-racism, anti-sexism, anti-disablism and anti-classism. We are an LGBTQIA+ positive space, and a trans*-inclusive space. We are committed to decolonising our research. We respect the experiences, capabilities and capacities of those with whom we work.
We recognise that sometimes we get things wrong. When that happens, we appreciate the opportunity to make things right. We encourage our community to communicate issues kindly and generously to each other. We strive to learn from our mistakes and take the opportunity to learn more about creating an inclusive space when it arises.
This is a living statement and feedback to cceh@exeter.ac.uk is welcome.
