Evaluating Complexity Across the Nexus to Improve Air Quality and Brain Health

What’s on offer?

In this two-hour workshop, hosted by Durham University, we will look at how to use the CECAN Complexity Evaluation Toolkit to develop policies that lessen the negative impact that outdoor air pollution has on brain health and dementia. Working as a group, attendees will use an online participatory systems mapping tool to engage with experts in air quality, public health, cognitive science, and ageing and dementia research to create an initial theory of change model. With this model, the workshop will walk through each step of the toolkit, from commissioning, designing and managing an evaluation to achieving impact.

What’s it about?

There is growing evidence from researchers in the UK and around the world that outdoor air pollution impacts brain health and dementia. This negative impact is particularly true for vulnerable populations in major UK urban areas, due to higher rates of air pollution, health inequalities and socio-economic deprivation. In response, there is growing public support to address this public health issue, including improving clean air strategies.

Who’s leading the event?

Brian Castellani (Sociology, Durham University)

Academics and stakeholders from InSPIRE, a consortium of 24 academics across ten UK universities and twenty-seven stakeholder organisations, including PHE, Defra, Scottish EPA, NHS, city councils, Alzheimer Scotland, Global Action Plan UK, and Clean Air Fund.

Open to

This workshop is open to the public, citizen groups, and anyone from local and national government, healthcare or the third sector interested in exploring how to use a complexity framing model to improve how the UK addresses this important public health issue.