Day 1: Intensive Pre-Defenses and Innovative Demonstrations

The first day was dedicated to the pre-defenses of PhD students, designed to provide us with a realistic and comprehensive training experience. The sessions began with a warm welcome by Prof. Martin Dijst, who set a positive and constructive tone for the exercise.

Throughout the afternoon, each ESR presented their research in four parallel sessions, each aligned with different work packages:

• WP1: Contemporary exposures to environments
• WP2: Changes in life stages and environments
• WP3: New technologies in health research
• WP4: Management of health and equity

Each pre-defense included a 15-minute presentation followed by an intensive 35-minute Q&A session and 10 minutes of feedback. In addition, the PhD pre-defense committees had received our research work ahead of time to ensure we received rigorous and constructive feedback. It proved to be a challenging exercise that is expected to be invaluable as we prepare to defend our theses over the next year.

On a more entertaining note, the day concluded with a demonstration of an innovative game developed by IJsfontein and Mugdha Chandratreya, showcasing how gamification can generate discussions and education around urban health.

Day 2: Stakeholders Day - Bridging Research and Policy

The second day, designated as Stakeholders Day, began with a welcome coffee and a professional photoshoot for all ESRs. The morning also consisted of group presentations on critical topics such as barriers and drivers to urban health, the use of mass environmental data and new technologies, and translating urban health evidence into effective policies. This interactive format allowed us to showcase how our experience and knowledge gained throughout the SURREAL project had sparked questions and new ideas on how to address health equity and its relevance to stakeholders.

The Afternoon Round Table: Creating Societal Impact as Researchers

The afternoon kicked off with a round table discussion between invited stakeholders and ESRs, moderated by Mariel Droomers. This session provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to share their feedback on the morning’s presentations. Together, we delved into a critical discussion about our ability to create societal impact as researchers.

The dialogue highlighted the often-present gap between academia research, policy implemention and the most vulnerable groups in society. While there was debate about the reasons for this gap and the capacity for researchers, especially young researchers, to overcome these barriers, the biggest takeaway was clear: translating academic research into actionable policies requires multiple pathways beyond merely publishing academic papers. It must include a clear, action-oriented plan from the start of any research project. Academic institutions should foster societal impact through research by cultivating stronger ties with their local community, especially those working with disenfranchised groups. Overall, the discussions were intimate and contemplative, with stakeholders and ESRs alike contributing valuable insights.

Following the discussion, the afternoon was dedicated to career path presentations by Monique Simons and Lenneke van Genuchten. Their personal career experiences and advice offered us reassuring insights into our future careers, inspiring us to think about the next steps in our professional journeys.

A Lively Exchange of Ideas and Gratitude

Reflecting on the SURREAL Network School's final conference, it was not just an end but a significant beginning for us, the next generation of urban health researchers. The rigorous training, diverse presentations, and engaging discussions across the various network schools has equipped us with the skills and knowledge to further our commitment to health equity.

We owe a special thanks to Elke Brungs for her organisation and dedication to the SURREAL cause. Her efforts, alongside the contributions of Prof. Martin Dijst, our many stakeholders and our supervisors, ensured the conference was fruitful for our development.

As we bid farewell to the SURREAL project, we look forward to witnessing the continued impact and collaboration among SURREAL actors in addressing global urban health challenges. Thank you to all who participated and made this event a memorable milestone in our collective pursuit towards health equity.

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.

Prenote: 333 days after the first Network school in Utrecht, the SURREAL consortium got together 500 kilometres away for another intense week of discourse on urban health. The venue set for the occasion was: Paris. A city well known for dividing opinions, separating romantics from pragmatists, and housing in proximity, both, the wealthy and the poverty-stricken. Such division and diversity can offer up an ideal milieu for enlightenment to those open to reason, making it the perfect place for round two. “Ding, Ding.” 

1. Les mises en bouche: Early-Stage-Researcher Presentations 

The role of the appetiser is to whet the appetite. To succinctly express what the future holds. It is also the dish that allows the chef most room to experiment with new combinations in the hope, that one day, the appetiser will develop into a flavoursome main dish.  

A similar role to the appetiser was bestowed upon the ESRs. They were challenged to provide a short 10-minute presentation on their PhD project while highlighting on-going issues, which then fed into receiving feedback from the consortium members.  

The sessions were organised across two mornings and four themes: ‘Social dimensions of health’, ‘Engaging with society’, ‘Complexities in research’ and ‘Experimental research’. This structure allowed for more in-depth discussions, provided a way to get to know about all the different flavours of urban health research within the consortium. Importantly, ESRs were able to identify common dilemmas in their research, which opened up opportunities for collaboration, while also renewing their enthusiasm.  

Such a mise-en-bouche experience in the context of the ESR’s PhD journey may actually turn out to be a pivotal moment, giving each ESR a surge in confidence to, one day soon, present their PhD project as the flavoursome main dish for their doctoral thesis defence.  

2. L’entrée: Keynote Speeches 

A well-chosen entrée usually sets the tone for the whole meal, while offering a deeper appreciation of the main course. Likewise, the keynote speeches were fundamental ingredients of the network school where experts in the field of urban health research taught us the recipes for success for making public policy. 

Laetitia Huiart, from Sante Public France, gave an honest, illuminating speech about the public policy experiences of Covid-19 in France. In principle, progress has been made at an ideological level to reduce health inequalities. However, there is still much to be done for urban health research to practically strengthen and inform governmental strategies. She vocalised the importance of achieving coherency among actors across distinct levels of society, particularly, the media. In this regard, improving science communication should be a priority for researchers to increase the rate of dissemination between furnishing research evidence, and seeing such evidence influence policy.  

One way of ensuring that urban health research has greater impact on public policy circles is by adding an economic dimension to studies. Marc Suhrcke, from LISER, demonstrated through multiple examples, how different branches of economics have started approaching the study of urban health. Topics such as the value of cost-benefit analyses, optimal equilibriums, and game strategies share a common theme of maximizing limited resources, which is something government bodies hold in high regard and which applies not only to economics, but also public health policy. 

The pragmatism from both keynote speeches suggests the entree was a cold dish, but one that put the group with good appetite for what was to come next.  

3. Le plat principal: An excursion with the City Council of Paris with various sides of workshops 

The main dish is usually judged based on whether it is better than what you could have had at home.  

The city council of Paris invited us for a presentation at the Climate Academy, located in the former city hall of the fourth arrondissement, whose space is now dedicated to providing a space for young people to get together, collaborate on local environmental challenges, and offers workshops to empower the youth to create a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle.  

The presentation focused on two recent urban renovation projects in the city of Paris. One based in an affluent neighbourhood and the other in a far more polluted, deprived, area of Paris. 

The first project is called Paris Beach (Paris-Plages) and concerns the transformation of a busy road alongside the Left Bank of the river Seine, formerly dedicated to transportation vehicles, into a space for recreation.  

The urban planner in charge of this project, Jean-Christophe Choblet, told us about the motivation for this project and its practical implications. Paris Beach is envisioned to be a freely accessible public walkway and offers recreational activities for those that do not have the means to escape the city during the scorching summer months.  

The walkway was built on the principle of resilience to consider the damaging dangers of flooding as well as the diverse and changing needs of those who use the walkway. When experiencing the walkway first-hand, it was evident that the project has been successful in engineering affordances that allowed people to engage in all types of activities, from social, to cultural, to exercising and to engaging in active transport.  

The second project was devoted to reducing severe air pollution levels in the northern outskirts of Paris. This was done by creating a more interconnected subway system, so vehicular usage around the highway circulating Paris’s administrative limits, called the Boulevard Périphérique, will be reduced.  

There are also intentions to convert a 2024 Olympic site for gymnastics into a state-of-the-art physical activity centre for local inhabitants and those living in areas neighbouring the region of Paris. There were some concerns from the consortium whether these improvements in the outskirts may introduce gentrification, potentially pushing away vulnerable populations.  

What we learned from these projects was how equity in urban health projects is often highlighted as an aspiration but is often difficult to achieve when regulations are not in place to prevent a dynamic free market system that ultimately benefit the more affluent.  

The following day, Basile Chaix kicked off an afternoon workshop on the use of wearable sensors and smartphones in urban health research. He showed us how these technologies are already bringing a far more complete understanding of how environmental exposures impact population health.  

Amit Birenboim presented a talk on how virtual reality experiments has been used in urban health research. He emphasized how well constructed VR experiments can give us insight into how specific future adjustments to urban environments can modify health, through changes to perception, physiological parameters, and behaviour.  

ESR’s Andrea Montanari and Alex Wang supported the workshop with a playful empirical demonstration of the sensors they are using in their projects. Importantly, they also mentioned how tracking smartphone behaviour across different settings can provide new insights into how these indispensable gadgets have become embedded in our environmental interactions, affecting our attention, mood, and place attachments.  

Bernd Resch, from the University of Salzburg, contributed to the workshop by serving us a presentation on his research projects using social sensing, based on sensor and social media data.  

He revealed how physiological sensors can be used for measuring arousal levels, to assess points in an urban environment that cause avoidable stress on cyclists. We also learned about the use of social media data as a behavioural predicting tool for large-scale disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.  

4. Le plateau de fromages (en option) :  

Common to French cuisine is an optional sharing platter of cheese. It is usually a sign of the occasion winding down, marking a transition from intense to more light-hearted discussions.  

Friday morning, the ESRs were treated to a workshop devoted to engaging the wider public with your research by Eleanor Saunders, from the Careers Research & Advisory Centre. Intriguingly, the start of the session revealed that there was a general discomfort among ESRs with the notion of commercialising their research output, as a marketing nuance felt conflictual with the identity and values of public health scientists. Nonetheless, like a bad smelling cheese, Eleanor showed through some fun, light-hearted exercises that there is good taste in knowing what makes your research valuable to different audiences.  

In the afternoon, ESRs and supervisors were given the option to help pilot a board game created by Mugdha Chandratreya. The aim of the game is to develop a greater understanding of women’s’ priorities in changing the urban environment through collaborative gameplay. The activity provided her with valuable feedback, having been played in good spirits with everyone embracing the character roles they were given.  

5. Le dessert: The many informal exchanges 

While the main dish usually brings people to the table, the dessert is usually the course which leaves people most looking forward to coming back to the table. Remembering the time in Utrecht the year before, there was great excitement around the consortium to catch-up again. Fortunately, Paris served up a Mille-feuille cake, with the layers consisting of numerous opportunities to catch up over morning coffee breaks, lunch appetisers, early evening drinks and dinner.  

Without revealing too much, highlights included a humorous presentation by the supervisors presenting personal objects from their home country and a karaoke night that left many thankful they gave up on their childhood dreams of becoming a popstar to pursue a career within public health.  

Le café après le diner : Acknowledgements 

A coffee is usually served to help people digest what was a splendid five-course menu. So, in digesting the 2^nd Network School, there is a necessity to thank those who made this fine experience possible. This includes Elke Brungs, Basile Chaix, Martin Dijst, Andrea Montanari & Alex Wang who all contributed to ensuring everything was organised and ran smoothly.  

A special mention to all the keynote speakers, Laetita Huiart, Marc Suhrcke, Jean Christophe Choblet, Michele Angelique Nicol and Fernande Ntsame-Abegue who substantively helped to ensure everyone left feeling enlightened. Gratitude is also extended to all the supervisors and SURREAL stakeholders who took time out of their busy schedules to come support the ESRs.  

At the end of the first network school, Dr. Hans Orru, one of the supervisors, summed up what we were collectively thinking. To slightly paraphrase him; “It has been one of the better ones I have been to. There was a really fun atmosphere across the group. It was also great to see that everyone has such relatable projects, so you saw a lot of meaningful and intellectual exchanges with one another…” Perhaps, it is a testament to all involved that such positivity widely resonated after three intense days of presentations, rainy walks, and social gatherings. 

It has been one of the better ones I have been to. There was a really fun atmosphere across the group.

Dr. Hans Orru

Tuesday - Welcoming Dinner

The Network School ‘unofficially’ started on Tuesday, the 7^th of June, with an evening ‘Welcome’ dinner at a ‘family-style’ vegetarian restaurant called “the Greenhouse”. It was here that most of the ESRs physically met each other for the first time. Any pre-event jitters were quickly replaced by fast-flowing introductions, laughter, and advice on what food to try. 

Wednesday - Introduction to SURREAL

On Wednesday morning, ESRs, supervisors and various stakeholders met at Utrecht’s city council building for a morning filled with engaging and insightful presentations. Prof. Dr. Martin Dijst officially started it all off by welcoming us and explaining the collective effort behind creating the SURREAL project. Councilman, Eelco Eerenberg, then followed with a presentation which illustrated the city’s passion for improving the health of its citizens through urban design improvements. Hearing this speech was important for ESRs and others because it highlighted how scientific research, like ours, can help support public officials, like Eelco, who are determined to improve health standards in a more sustainable way. 

After a brief coffee break, Dr. Erik Timmermans gave a key presentation on the exposome concept and the wide variety of ways it has been studied. The exposome consortium aims to systematically sequence the environmental factors influencing our health. A provocative talk on the methodology behind Citizen Design studies, by Imme Ruarus from our network partner De Waag, soon followed. The idea of not having a hypothesis or planned outcome when designing a Citizen Design study sounded a little foreign for many in the audience but perhaps, rather importantly, illustrated the importance of engaging with stakeholders in the SURREAL project.

A visit to the neighbourhood ‘Hoograven’, a neighbourhood in Utrecht South with high levels of social inequalities, was scheduled after the lunch break. We were welcomed in the neighbourhood community centre, where the local municipality gave us a brief presentation of the challenges the neighbourhood faces, the services they provide, and the data they collect. Julie Roelandt, one of the 15 ESRs who is working closely with the municipality, gave us an update on the progress of her project. Julie pinpointed how gender differences and stigmatisation are important issues among the youth in the neighbourhood. Despite the heavy rain, the group was eager to stretch their legs with a walk around the neighbourhood. Equipped with umbrellas, and hoodies for the less fortunate, the group got to hear about the lived experiences of those who are currently working with local residents to improve their lives. This included a sport and exercise facilitator, a community worker and a local youth worker. While each one of them talked about the challenges that come with their job, they all shared their rewarding experiences.

The first day ended with a dinner at ‘De Winkel van Sinkel’, an impressive establishment at the heart of Utrecht’s old town. The division between supervisors and ESRs was not as apparent as on the first evening and you saw a more cohesive group discussing all sorts of topics. It was good to see that everyone started to feel more at ease within the group, setting the tone for the rest of the Network School. 

This video gives an impression of Day 1 of the Network School Event.

Thursday - Getting to know our Network Partners 

The second day started with a presentation from Prof. Dr. Frank van Lenthe on methodological perspectives in health inequalities research. He took us back to where urban health research started, and talked about the main principles of social epidemiology and its methodology. Jan Willem Huisman from IJsfontein then took to the stage. He enthusiastically explained how his company designs and develops playful (digital) tools for behavioural change, learning and development using a co-creation method. The morning programme ended with a hands-on training on ‘intersectoral co-creation methods and processes’, by Jan Glas from YellowBall. 

After lunch, we were introduced to our partner Geogap by Sjors Hoek, a company providing geographical services, which makes innovative geo-applications for their customers. After the presentation, it was time for perhaps the most interactive part of the whole Network School. The ESRs prepared poster presentations on their projects which allowed both professors and other ESR’s to become familiar with each other's work. Connections between projects were formed and useful feedback was provided. 

On a more personal level, each ESR was then asked to present something meaningful from where they come from and tell a short story. This filled the afternoon with foods and beverages from Iran (‘Gaz’), India (‘Bakarwadi’ and ‘Soan Papdi’), Cuba (‘Havana Club rum’), Portugal (‘Pastéis de Nata’), Honduras (Coffee), Italy (‘Truffles’), and laughter as we got introduced to some, sometimes quirky, habits of our countries, such as Latvian ‘Dainas’, the Dutch’ direct communication style (as presented by ‘Meneer Mandje’), the colourful Pakistani tradition of ‘Truck Art’, the friendliness of Canadian people and their love for their national symbol (the ‘Maple Leaf’), the all-American sport of basketball, Indian Ayurveda and the healing powers of Turmeric, and a personal reasoning for the importance of owning golden jewellery for Nepali women.

Friday - Discussing the ideal PhD-Supervisor Relationship

The last item on the programme was a morning workshop organised by Tori Helmer from CRAC, who helped us create a ‘Supervision Charter’. The working relationship between a PhD student and supervisor can be one of the most important factors for successfully completing a PhD, so it is worth expressing your needs and expectations towards each other even before any issues arise. The workshop provided a safe space to discuss each others’ preferred communication styles and hopefully paved the way for clear and open communication between the ESRs and their supervisors.

Final remarks

Time will tell how successful this 1st Network School was but we all know that success will depend on whether the level of enthusiasm generated can be maintained and fostered into greater collaboration and output. The early signs are good but we won’t fully know until the next Network School, to be held in Paris some time between March - June 2023. À bientôt.