As part of the Research Hubs and Doctoral Studies Working Group, a workshop was organised at Comillas Pontifical University, bringing together experienced and early-career researchers to exchange perspectives on fostering inclusivity in health and wellbeing research.
The workshop featured four short presentations delivered by Dr Nereida Bueno Guerra, Dr Olaya García-Vázquez, Dr João Nunes from Universidad Pontificia Comillas, and Dr Kenan Ateşgöz from Çukurova University. Each presenter addressed different aspects of inclusive health based on their professional practice and research.
Dr Nereida Bueno Guerra opened the workshop with a presentation on the challenges faced by people with learning difficulties when making clinical decisions, understanding informed consent, participating in clinical trials, and accessing health information from open sources. In her talk, Dr Bueno Guerra addressed the concept of “science for all”, which means science and its application should be accessible and open for everyone.
This was followed by a presentation by Dr Kenan Ateşgöz, Çukurova University. Dr Ateşgöz presented on integrating health communication into curriculum design, the role of the One Health approach and artificial intelligence developments in responding to contemporary global health challenges.
Trafficking, health security, and the politics of communication
Dr Olaya García-Vázquez presented research on health and human trafficking. Dr García-Vázquez emphasised the importance of studying health in human trafficking to improve the assistance and recovery for the victims, as well as to improve identification in healthcare facilities. Dr João Nunes focused on the connection between health communication campaigns and health security concerns, based on research during the Zika and COVID-19 health emergencies.
© ComillasAfter the presentations, the session included an open discussion, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers. Discussion between presenters and participants fostered mutual and interdisciplinary understanding in health practice.
Overall, the workshop provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and discussion, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing inclusive health and wellbeing. It highlighted the importance of a broader commitment to ensuring health for all, promoting the inclusiveness of scientific knowledge as a human right and contributing to more equitable health systems and wellbeing across diverse communities.
