Academics from across Sheffield Hallam University are participating at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)

Press contact: Greg Mattocks-Evans | g.mattocks-evans@shu.ac.uk

Dr Sally Fowler-Davis, associate professor of organisation in health care, is volunteering with the COP26 climate coalition, leading an event to bring together academics, researchers and university staff who are keen to be part of a social movement towards ecological sustainability in higher education, both nationally and internationally.

Dr Fowler-Davis said: “The opportunity springs from a long-standing interest in environmental issues and climate justice that has recently been reignited through my involvement with 1 Hope-TD, an initiative to build capacity for valuing and promoting understanding about health, wellbeing and climate change, as a foundation for the UN-2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

“As a researcher with the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, my research focusses on organisations improving and changing to enhance population health, and so the focus on improving air quality, enabling use of green spaces and access to services that support positive steps to rehabilitation are even more critical.”

David Swann, professor in design, is one of three speakers presenting on the potential for arts, culture and heritage to tackle gender and diversity in climate resilience and adaptation. As part of the Resilience Hub at COP26, professor Swann, principal investigator of the award-winning UKRI FCRF Life-Saving Lullabies project, has been invited by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and Praxis to present the team’s novel zero-cost approach.

Professor Swann said: “It is a great privilege to be representing the Life-Saving Lullabies team, and this invitation will showcase the creativity and resilience of St John Zambia’s Safer Motherhood Action Group volunteers from Chunga, Kapila, Kayosha and Matero. Our volunteers have been empowered to create 31 songs, with lyrics communicating maternal and neonatal health messages, such as recognising the danger signs in pregnancy and the production of a Coronavirus-awareness song prior to any officially recorded cases in Zambia.

“Our zero-cost approach resonates with the critical challenge of decarbonising services and prompted the development of an Arts and Humanities Research Council funded study involving Kieran Mcdonald, the Design Council and myself, with the aim of developing a foundational framework to support the future decarbonisation of UK design: education, research and practice.”