Bringing Scottish health specialists together

The Universities of St Andrews and Dundee will host an event this week (Wednesday 3rd December 2003) aimed at bringing together research-active health professionals from Tayside and Fife.

It is hoped that the meeting – an informal networking and fact- finding event – will serve to form new working relationships and partnerships between individuals with a special interest in the social, economic and cultural aspects of health.

It will be hosted by the Universities’ new joint institute, SDHI (Social Dimensions of Health Institute) and held at the St Andrew’s Bay Hotel in St Andrews. The SDHI brings together more than 70 researchers from both Universities to address the social, economic and cultural factors underpinning public health. Building on the long history of health-related research collaborations between the two Universities, the Institute was established recently and there will be a formal launch next year.

Designed to influence future national and international health policy and practice, the SDHI involves a large number of social scientists, medical researchers and practitioners making it a genuinely interdisciplinary research environment for tackling health issues of widespread public concern in Scotland and beyond.

The establishment of the Institute has been facilitated by the Promoting Partnership Initiative – the ambitious project set up in 2000 to draw upon strengths and interests of both Universities by fostering collaborative research and teaching programmes.

Around 150 professionals are expected to gather at this week’s event, and will include representatives from both Universities as well as individuals from the NHS, the Scottish Executive and Dundee and Fife Councils.

Research groups will display elements of their research and it is hoped that by raising awareness of health-related research expertise, the event will be a starting point for stimulating new research collaborations.

ENDS NOTE TO EDITORS:

“Promoting Partnership: An Evolving Collaboration” is an ambitious venture fostering institutional change within higher education. The initiative aims to draw upon strengths and interests in both the University of Dundee and the University of St Andrews to:

· expand both teaching and research in important emerging areas;
· experiment with innovation;
· build significant relationships with the private sector;
· significantly contribute to the social and economic well- being of Scotland.

University Press Office contacts:

Gayle Cook, Press Officer, University of St Andrews – 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050103, or email [email protected]

Jenny Marra, Press Officer, University of Dundee – 01382 344910 or email [email protected]

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected] Ref: SDHI Dec3 event pr 011203 View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk