Rowena Burke’s Post

Our Roots of Change Blog series was created to share the story of advocates! In our latest post, Keaton Sinclair details his journey from chaos in hospitals during the pandemic, to advocating for science policy. He highlights the importance of listening and effectively communicating science to bridge gaps and drive impact. Read Keaton’s piece here: https://lnkd.in/eY_bs9V3

This is a really exciting piece of work for York. We are partnering with Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families on the 'Changemakers' programme to explore further, and understand more about, the ways in which local areas can make best use of evidence in their work with children and families. What has really appealed to me about this programme from the outset is the definition of 'evidence based' being used and this image captures it really well. Findings from research are really important parts of the puzzle but so are the different components that form the local evidence picture. I think it's much more likely that we experience successful evidence based approaches when we recognise the breadth of evidence, coupled with implementation science, when thinking about our work. https://lnkd.in/e7W95_qe

Next week I'll be in London, presenting my book, "The Bill Gates Problem," at the World Public Health Nutrition Association congress. If you're going to be at WPHNA, or want to propose another venue to discuss Gates, please connect! One thing I appreciate about WPHNA----as I'm just getting to know it----is its attention to financial conflicts of interest, the ways that monied interests can bend science (and policymaking, journalism, the judiciary, etc.) to their own interests. Conflicts of interest are a key theme in my reporting on the Gates Foundation, whose generous giving has brought a great many actors into its financial sphere of influence. If you are going to WPHNA and are interested in conflicts of interests and/or Gates, please find me! As I'll be in the UK, here's the UK cover of my book:

How can we make co-produced research work better? Here's what we're taking away from our co-hosted session yesterday with the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre ⤵ - Consider the practical; spend time cultivating the space, the values you want to underline your work, and ring fence time for relationship building - Identifying common interests and aligning strategies helps bring together research and policy partners effectively to co-develop projects - Co-production needs to include all voices, both academics, policy organisations, those with lived experience and others - But we need to take care when including these voices, flawed engagement methods can inadvertently exclude some participants Thanks to our speakers Sarah Chaytor, Alex Balch, Vicky Kemp & Laura Durán Cardenas, for giving their perspectives from both those who fund co-produced research and those who have been recipients of funding. & special thanks to our colleagues in the Modern Slavery PEC Owain Johnstone Izzy Templer Jakub Sobik and CAPE Rafael C.. We’re currently developing a toolkit that focuses on our experiences awarding funding for co-produced projects, with advice for both funders and applicants, so watch this space.

A business leader should know: - Education and Outreach: - Engaging with communities and businesses to promote the principles of biomimicry. This is how Byron Garcia used this innovative approach to decide to expand scientific opportunities for children in rural communities. 👇 Subscribe for news and updates!

From early childhood to the present day, wherever I have lived (over 25 places across four countries at the last count) the local library has always existed as an oasis of calm, of possibility, and of learning. Libraries are vital safe spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together to talk, learn, find support, and develop networks. They play a crucial role in fostering understanding, disseminating knowledge, and empowering communities with the resources and tools needed for civic engagement and creative self-expression. Librarians are skilled curators when it comes to lifelong learning and building strong communities. Many shared their insights, experience and expertise with changemakers, cultural leaders, and community innovators at this conference in Amsterdam in September to consider how libraries might tackle society’s big issues such as creating hubs for democracy, mental health support, and social connection. If librarians ran Europe, as the conference invited us to consider, Europe might become more creative, compassionate, and inclusive.

Last week during office hours we discussed the limitations of qualitative research and where/how to disseminate important qualitative findings when it comes to raising awareness of ageism. Come join the conversation today and ask questions b/w 1:30PM - 2:30PM ET! https://lnkd.in/eBhpdDf6

A business leader should know: - Education and Outreach: - Engaging with communities and businesses to promote the principles of biomimicry. This is how Byron Garcia used this innovative approach to decide to expand scientific opportunities for children in rural communities. 👇 Subscribe for news and updates!

In partnership with the NeuroEquity Research Collaborative (NERC), this year we launched an expanded action guide for the field: Learning and Thinking Differences: A Playbook for Schools, Service Providers & Advocates. Established by Understood.org, the goal of the collaborative is to advance equitable conditions for neurodivergent people, especially those who are also marginalized based on other aspects of their identity. Discover the new research and playbook: https://lnkd.in/eTwxKPq6

Evidence Week is fast approaching! 🌟 Raise issues that matter to you to the people who can make a change and get your voice heard. If your question is selected, you can join us in Westminster on the 20th January. Take part by submitting your question to the online form! https://lnkd.in/eQiCGhtw Sense about Science