The Centre for Systems Modelling & Quantitative Biomedicine (SMQB) recently kicked off it’s its latest round of seedcorn projects which bring interdisciplinary teams together for 6 months research pilots using quantitative skills to advance biomedical challenges in a wide range of topic areas.
Also joining each of the research teams were 9 SMQB Artists in Residence 2023-24 selected by Dr Caroline Gillett (the SMQB Artist in Residence Manager) and with the support of previous SMQB artist Charlotte Dunn who aided the selection and interview process. The artists have already taken part in the 2 day research incubator which is where collaborative actives begin.
Artists in this round include a poet, photographer, illustrators, performers and more. You can read more about each of the projects in this round and the artists involved over on the SMQB website www.birmingham.ac.uk/smqb
In addition to the artists, members of the AMIGO patient and public involvement and engagement group were also invited along to the research incubator to support projects with public engagement plans and improving project (lay) summaries.
Feedback:
“In fact, it began to emerge that my vast experience in the creative industries and DJ culture, were considered to be a valuable contribution to the research work. this was beyond my wildest imagination, I felt part of the team and almost an ”equal” in this challenging environment.” – SMQB Artist, Simon Peter Green
“I must say that you are the only university that has made me feel so welcome and letting someone as an outsider be able to penetrate the university walls is unheard of, especially in the company of scientists and academics. To be able to do that has always been a dream of mine to be recognised as a person who is willing to learn and grow and you have made that possible, so thank you. It’s been a really interesting and fascinating time that has made me want to use science in my own work and to collaborate more often with confidence.” – AMIGO member, Bengy
“I did want to pass on specific thanks to the AMIGOs for their involvement and feedback. I think our project, and indeed the whole discussion within our group on the second day, was made far more robust as a direct result of their comments, and indeed discussions we had around future directions for the research were shaped by the interaction. In particular, I can imagine it takes some courage to (cordially!) criticise the work of experts to their faces (I know it would for me!), so I thank them for doing so, and for the SMQB organisers for facilitating that process and supporting the AMIGOs. I think it really shows the importance of involving outside voices, such as theirs, in the scientific process.” – Dr Cai Wingfield, researcher
