Let’s chat medicine: An innovative PEI cycle in health-related research
Year Awarded
2024
Amount
€249,704
- Organisation:University College Dublin (UCD)
Project Summary
Personalised Medicine (PM) holds the promise to transform healthcare. “Let’s Chat Medicine” (LCM) aims to transform how PM is communicated to the public by leveraging the unique talents and perspectives of young people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. By tapping into their natural curiosity, energy, and in some cases lived experiences, LCM aims to create impactful PM messages.
Over a five-day summer school at University College Dublin (UCD) and Barretstown, young people (aged 15-18 years) from across the country will join PM researchers, science communicators, and professional artists. They will engage in hands-on workshops, research seminars, laboratory activities, and art to transform PM information into accessible and engaging stories and visuals. Starting with genomics, further PM concepts will be developed.
The goal is to share practical PM knowledge while building a PM “toolkit” which will be used at public-facing events to convey complex concepts in a manner that is relevant and accessible to all. Involving diverse youth, including many from DEIS-designated schools, will broaden representation, ensure inclusivity and help dispel stereotypes about STEM fields. Introducing progression routes will enhance motivation for careers in STEM and creative arts.
Systems Biology Ireland and UCD Conway Institute bring a decade of PM research and education and public engagement (EPE) expertise to LCM. Building on this foundation, LCM will train PM researchers in EPE. Partnership by LCM with national actors will enhance content relevance and community reach. Robust evaluation will amplify impact, inform policy, and strengthen LCM as a leading PM EPE initiative.