Bridging Disciplines:
Health Humanities & Arts Research Collaborative
Lunch & Learn Series
Does your research explore the intersections of culture, power, and health? Are you excited by the prospect of applying storytelling techniques to clinical case studies? Have you ever wondered how arts expression might complement mental health treatments? Are you intrigued by the idea of using historical analysis to inform current public health strategies? Or perhaps you're curious about how philosophical ethics can guide the development of AI in healthcare? Have you heard of the humanities, but wonder if your interests connect with this field? Do you like to write, make art, or immerse yourself in culture?
This new monthly series aims to foster new collaborations, inspire innovative research, and highlight the crucial role of humanities in advancing healthcare, featuring innovative research projects that demonstrate the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex health-related issues.
2025 Details are as follows:
February 20, 2025: The Story of a Project: From Inspiration to Implementation in Ethnographic Research
This session traces the journey of an ethnographic research project examining the lives of HIV-infected women in Northern Nigeria. Dr. Kathryn Rhine will guide participants through the early stages of the project, “Positive Living and Antiretroviral Therapy: Marriage, Divorce and the Life Course of HIV-Infected Women in Northern Nigeria,” from its initial conception through the complex process of proposal development. The presentation will offer a step-by-step look at crafting research questions, developing methodological approaches, writing grant and dissertation proposals, and preparing for fieldwork. This session is designed to provide practical insights for researchers interested in ethnographic approaches to health humanities, offering a transparent look at the process of transforming an idea into a funded research project.March 20, 2025: The Story of a Project, Part 2: From Field Notes to Publication - Navigating Ethnographic Reality
Building on February's session, this follow-up presentation will take participants into the realities of implementing ethnographic research in healthcare and public health settings. Dr. Kathryn Rhine shares candid reflections on the challenges and adaptations required when theoretical research designs meet real-world conditions in northern Nigeria. The session will explore the journey from field notes to finished products, discussing the transformation of research data into both a dissertation and a book. Participants will gain valuable insights into the practical aspects of conducting ethnographic research, including managing unexpected challenges, adapting methodologies, and navigating the writing process across different formats and audiences. No prior attendance required - all are welcome to join this standalone lunch & learn event.
April 8, 2025: Medical Improv: Enhancing Clinical Practice Through Improvisational Skills
Join us for a special interactive workshop led by Dr. Belinda Fu ("theImprovDoc"), an international leader in medical improvisation and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. This session explores how improvisational theater principles can enhance essential clinical skills including empathy, communication, and teamwork. Dr. Fu will demonstrate how "medical improv" techniques address critical challenges in healthcare, from difficult patient conversations to interprofessional collaboration and clinician wellness. Through dynamic, participatory exercises, attendees will learn how improvisation skills can be adapted to medical contexts to improve emotional intelligence, team dynamics, and cognitive flexibility. Dr. Fu brings her extensive background as both a family physician and performing artist to illuminate the evidence-based connections between improvisational skills and improved healthcare outcomes.