Bridging the Gap Between Health Inequalities Research and Affected Communities
Exploring how data, storytelling, and co-design with children can inform action on health inequalities.
Project Overview:
This project used anonymised health and social data to explore why children from less advantaged areas in Scotland experience worse health outcomes. Working closely with a Glasgow primary school, the team introduced children to research methods through creative activities, including games, data visualisations, and the creation of Zines. The result was a child-informed toolkit for researchers and a series of insights that are now shaping future research and funding priorities.
Team:
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Lead Researchers: University of Glasgow team
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Partners: Local Glasgow primary school, MatCHNet, and contributing digital artists and evaluators
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Funders: ScotPEN Wellcome Engagement Award
Goals & Activities
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Help children understand how health inequality research is done and why it matters.
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Collaborate with children to co-design and share mini-research projects.
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Develop and adapt interactive tools for public engagement.
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Create practical toolkits to support other researchers working with communities.
Project Outputs
Engagement Toolkit
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“Engaging Children with Health Data”: A downloadable guide with adaptable classroom and engagement activities.
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Includes full resources for the Data Detective game, Top Trumps activity, and social determinants word searches.
Educational Games & Activities
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Data Detective Game (digital and printable)
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Best Start in Life & HealthyVille games
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Zine-making & Storytelling sessions at the University of Glasgow
Publications & Resources
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Online workshop with MatCHNet on public engagement methods: Watch the recording
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Framed visual summary created with Class 2, to be presented at school assembly
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Digital copies of zines to be shared via MatCHNet and affiliated networks
