The Principal's Prize for Public Engagement with Research recognises outstanding achievement in public engagement. The prizes are awarded annually to a member of staff who has an exceptional record of achievement in public engagement inspired by areas of University research.
Awarded to Dr Jessica Butler
The Principal's Prize for Public Engagement with Research recognises outstanding achievement in public engagement. The prizes are awarded annually to a member of staff who has an exceptional record of achievement in public engagement inspired by areas of University research.
The 2017 winner in the Early Career Category was Dr Jessica Butler from Institute of Applied Health Science for her work with the Aberdeen Children of the 1950s study.
The Aberdeen Children of the 1950s study includes almost all of the people born in the city in the early to mid-1950s (12,150 in total). It has been based at the University for the past 55 years.
The study makes links between the population’s data across their lifespan. These links have been used to answer questions like: what aspects of childhood influence adult health? After a difficult start in life, what helped people succeed later? What aspects of family, school and community influence wellbeing?
Our team designed an engagement programme around this important Aberdeen resource that included a participant reunion, events at Explorathon and Mayfest, talks to many local groups like Rotary, a short film, and new social media.