Blog & Updates
Envisioning Urban Transformation in Barcelona
A recap by James Harris
The third SURREAL Network School, nestled in the vibrant heart of Barcelona and reflecting the city’s own rich architectural heritage, provided a diverse mosaic of urban health research. The program featured an engaging mix of keynote presentations, subgroup discussions, a hands-on field trip, and a media training session.
Keynote Lectures
"Creating Cities for Better Health and Well-being" by Professor Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
Professor Mark Nieuwenhuijsen launched the conference with a stimulating keynote, "Changing Cities for Better Health and Well-being”. His talk offered an insightful overview of urban health trends across Europe while using Barcelona's Superblock Model as a case study. He highlighted the Superblock model’s ability to transform neighbourhood health by significantly reducing vehicle pollution and increasing greenspaces. Yet, he candidly discussed the formidable obstacles in scaling these improvements across the city, pinpointing the political barriers. Furthermore, it was pointed out that uneven implementation has exacerbated health disparities between neighbourhoods, underscoring the need for cohesive, city-wide strategies that can universally enhance urban health.
"Facilitators and Barriers to Change" by Dr. Audrey de Nazelle
Building on Professor Nieuwenhuijsen’s insights, dr. Audrey de Nazelle explored the complex barriers that hinder the adoption of innovative urban health policies like the Superblock or 3-30-300 models. Her presentation showcases the complex dynamics of public health policy, particularly concerning urban mobility and pollution control. She revealed how entrenched interests, lobbying and the spread of misinformation often stall progress, despite the clear advantages of low-traffic neighbourhoods in enhancing resident well-being. The keynote underlined the need for sharper communication strategies and stronger policy frameworks to navigate these obstacles.
"Air Pollution and Health: From Mechanisms of Doubt to Science Policy Interactions" by Professor Tim Nawrot
Continuing the theme of communication's critical role, Professor Tim Nawrot delved into the intersection of air pollution research and policy, highlighting the persistent scepticism and doubt that obstruct effective regulation. By detailing past examples where economic and political pressures delayed crucial public health measures, the talk argued for the clearer articulation of scientific evidence's risks and benefits to policymakers and the public. The lesson for ESRs was that clarity when communicating is essential for translating research into actionable policy and overcoming misinformation's impact on public perception and health policy.
"Mental Health in Academia" by Dr. Darragh McCashin
Switching topics, Dr. Darragh McCashin addressed the stress and competitiveness faced by early-stage academic researchers. His lecture provided a platform for the ESRs to share their experiences while highlighting the gap between idealised academic expectations and the reality of future prospects. He revealed how his research is part of a collective effort to improve university support systems and mental health resources while emphasising the need for a cultural shift to better support ESRs' well-being and career decisions.
Subgroup Discussions: Envisioning Ideal Cities
One of the conference highlights was the subgroup discussions themed "How to make a change with SURREAL in cities?" Led by Ana Ramos and Shradha Mishra, ESRs, their supervisors, and other consortium partners split into groups to explore desired urban health changes and solutions to barriers to implementing these ideas. These sessions fostered lively brainstorming and animated presentations, focused on changing policy, infrastructure, and community engagement. This format proved enriching, especially for ESRs, who appreciated the opportunity to contribute to meaningful strategies towards urban health transformation.
Field Trip: Barcelona’s Green Streets
The field trip to Passeig de Gracia & Sant Antoni provided a practical extension of the conference themes, showcasing the 'superblocks' - a bold urban design to transform streets from car-focused to pedestrian and community spaces. Guided by local experts Carolyn Daher and Genís Domínguez Montagut, ESRs experienced first-hand the improvements in liveability and health behaviours in these neighbourhoods. However, they also observed the challenges faced by adjacent streets that were not included in these initiatives. The field trip brought to light a significant issue: while superblocks improve health outcomes where implemented, the exclusion of surrounding areas can exacerbate health disparities. This uneven application exacerbates the political polarisation already seen on the issue, creating a cycle that hinders the broader adoption of such urban health policies.
Media Training for Emerging Researchers
A final highlight of the Network School's program was the media training session led by Pau Rubio from ISGLOBAL's communications department. Tailored for ESRs, this session expanded on the school’s theme of honing communication skills to better engage with the public. Participants practised through mock interviews, simulating a 2-minute video piece with a journalist, which was then constructively critiqued for enhancement. The session was both educational and filled with good humour, fostering a supportive atmosphere where ESRs could laugh and learn together on the last day.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the enriching experiences the third Network School provided, special thanks go to Elke Brungs, Professor Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, ISGLOBAL staff, and Ana Ramos for their roles in organising this impactful event. Their efforts greatly contributed to our learning and collaboration. We also thank all the keynote speakers whose insights have deepened our understanding and engagement with critical topics.
Looking forward, we are preparing for the final Network School in Luxembourg. This event will take place from 13-14 June. This event marks the culmination of the SURREAL project and a significant chapter in many ESRs' academic journeys. This upcoming event promises to be a memorable milestone, celebrating our progress and preparing us for future endeavours.
