The Social Dimensions of Health Institute (SDHI) conducts interdisciplinary research focused on the social aspects of health, well-being, and healthcare delivery. It has two main research strands: 1) exploring the social and environmental contexts of health and healthcare services, and 2) examining human resilience and capabilities, especially for those with disabilities. SDHI is a partnership between the Universities of Dundee and St Andrews, with the goal of conducting collaborative research, knowledge sharing, and capacity building through networking across disciplines and institutions.

1. Introduction and overview Social Dimensions of Health Institute

2. Research in Partnership Universities of Dundee and St Andrews since 2003

3. Environment Technology Demographics Economy Health Wellbeing Participation Meeting Global Challenges Through Interdisciplinarity

4. Three pillars Programmatic research focused on the social dimensions of health Knowledge mobilisation and exchange Research capacity and capability building

5. 5 core strategic aims Identify and pursue key interdisciplinary programmatic topics for research reflecting social dimensions of health Networking the networks, knowledge mobilisation, strategic partnering, public engagement Diversified funding New partnerships with 3rd sector, voluntary organisations/charities, business Broaden internationalisation

6. Two programmatic strands Social and environmental dimensions of health, wellbeing and service delivery Human resilience and capabilities Both strands inform one another

7. Research topic and related questions at the centre

8. Social and environmental dimensions of health, wellbeing and service delivery Work within this programme explores the significance of ‘context’ for people’s health and efforts to improve it. We take a broad view of ‘environments’ (including for example geographical considerations of space and place, anthropological considerations of culture in healthcare organisations, design considerations of technological adaptations to support health and well-being, and research assessments) and ‘relationships’ (attending to both relative positions and interactions).

9. Examples Explorations of youth and domestic violence as a public health issue in Scotland. Sources and implications of work stress on nurses Sources and uses of feedback about patient experiences for quality improvements in primary care The use of relational understandings of ‘autonomy’ and ‘trust’ to study and critique the ways in which health care provision shapes people’s ability to contribute to their own health and social care. The role of knowledge exchange networks for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers in promoting self care in long-term conditions The role of context in collective learning in health care organisations The measurement of outcomes in community-based stroke rehabilitation Barriers and facilitators to physical activity for people with disabilities in the community Natural disaster mitigation for people with disabilities Social geographies of health Employment, disability and long-term conditions Socioeconomic determinants of health inequalities Organisational culture in general practice

10. Human resilience and capabilities Work within this programme addresses the particular concerns and experiences that people with physical, cognitive and/or communicative impairments have in relation to health and healthcare. It has a strong emphasis on enabling participation, and is increasingly making use of insights from the ‘Capabilities Approach’ to encourage a broad evaluative space for interventions intended to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Work within the programme is also exploring applications of ‘Capabilities’ thinking to healthcare provision more generally.

11. Human resilience and capabilities Illness representations of and cognitive factors in the self management of long-term conditions Perceived ability to self care among people with learning disabilities Digital ‘storytelling’ of people with communication disabilities Low literacy and health outcomes Manualised stroke rehabilitation Reducing alcohol-related harm and social disadvantage Patient-centered assessment and patient experience Technology-supported interventions for people with dementia Use of the Capabilities Approach to justify and develop the notion of ‘Person Centred Care’

12. Organisation 2 Co-Directors (Dundee, St Andrews), 5 Associate Directors Researchers, PhD students are affiliated with ‘home departments’ Administrative base of Co-Director, Dundee (College of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing in the School of Nursing & Midwifery), of Co-Director St Andrews (School of Management) Administrative support to co-ordinate inter-university, inter-departmental activities

13. Examples 2011 Networking and knowledge mobilisation; new partnerships (eg Emergency preparedness event) Visibility: web and public engagement (eg SDHI Day of Public Engagement) Internationalisation: US doctoral student exchange, international conference Programmatic research (inter-university, inter-departmental meetings on learning disabillity, cancer, violence) Research capacity/capability building (Writing for publication workshops, research apprenticeship scheme NHS Tayside, secondments)

14. Opportunities University strategic aims (e.g. thematic focus, internationalisation, public engagement) Strategic partnerships (eg CECHR, ASCR) Programmatic special interest groups (learning disability, cancer, violence…) Internationalisation (eg exchange programmes, international webinars - shortly)

15. SDHI info www.sdhi.ac.uk (current info on www.sdhi.wordpress.com (above internet domain will soon be assigned to this site) Twitter @SDHIresearch Facebook http://on.fb.me/nnwDSc Dr Thilo Kroll [email_address] Dr Fred Comerford [email_address] Rosanne Bell [email_address]