Blog & Updates
As we gathered for the final SURREAL Network School conference in Belval, Luxembourg, on June 13-14, 2024, it felt like we had reached a pivotal juncture in our PhD journey. We were saying goodbye to the SURREAL project, while considering the start of many new beginnings. The conference theme, "Equity in Health and Health Policies," encapsulated our collective SURREAL mission as the presentations and discussions unfolded over two highly reflective days.
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:
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.
