The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), in association with Wellcome, has launched the Medical Humanities Awards for 2020, a national award celebrating the contribution of the arts and humanities to improving healthcare, health and wellbeing.
AHRC writes:
Across the UK academics, health professionals, voluntary organisations and communities are using arts and humanities research to look at how we can improve quality of life and wellbeing. The Medical Humanities Awards celebrates and showcases the amazing work being done in this area by these individuals, teams and organisations.
Applications and nominations are now open across five categories which cover the broad scope of research, impact and leadership within the field of medical and health humanities. For each category a shortlist of submissions will be drawn up and a winner will be selected. The categories are:
- Best Research
- Best Doctoral or Early Career Research
- Best International Research
- Best Community-Led Project
- Leadership Award
Eligible submissions will be judged by academics, health practitioners and industry professionals who will be looking for the very best examples under each category.
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to a special event in July 2020 where the category winners will be announced. Each winner will also receive an award and £5,000 in prize money.
Professor Edward Harcourt, Director of Research, Strategy and Innovation at AHRC, said:
“The arts and humanities play a vital role in our health and wellbeing and have the power to transform lives.
“The AHRC has always seen the importance of supporting the medical humanities and illustrating the huge and varying impacts they can have on health and wellbeing. These Awards offer a great opportunity for researchers, arts practitioners, clinicians and others who have made a difference in this field to be recognised and to inspire others to follow their example.”
Dr Dan O’Connor, Head of Humanities and Social Science at Wellcome, said:
“The Medical Humanities Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and showcase the very best research from a diverse range of fields across the UK. The humanities and social sciences are uniquely positioned to improve health by providing insight into its social, cultural, and political contexts and Wellcome is committed to supporting a thriving environment for pioneering and innovative discovery research. The knowledge drawn from these fields form an essential foundation in understanding the needs, values and priorities of the people and communities affected by illness, disease and health disparities.”
Applications must be submitted through this Smart Survey or you can nominate someone here by 4pm on 18 March 2020. For more information please visit our Medical Humanities Medal call page or email heh@ahrc.ukri.org.
About AHRC
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation, funds world-class, independent researchers in a wide range of subjects: history, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, languages, design, heritage, area studies, the creative and performing arts, and much more. The quality and range of research supported by AHRC not only provides social and cultural benefits and contributes to the economic success of the UK but also to the culture and welfare of societies around the globe.
About Wellcome
Wellcome exists to improve health by helping great ideas to thrive.
We support researchers, we take on big health challenges, we campaign for better science, and we help everyone get involved with science and health research.
We are a politically and financially independent foundation.
