About:
Systems Biology Ireland launched Let’s Chat Medicine (LCM) in Spring 2024. Let’s Chat Medicine is a new public engagement and involvement collaboration with Barretstown and the Young Person’s Advisory Group at the National Children’s Cancer Service. The overall objective of the programme is to bring young members of the public together with STEM researchers, artists, and a broad spectrum of professionals to work inclusively and in partnership towards a common goal of enhancing public understanding of personalised medicine.
"I am honoured to have been part of the Let's Chat Medicine program, the knowledge
I've gained from the workshop will be useful to me cause l get to share it with other
people and create some awareness."
~ Student Participant
The initiative provides young people aged 15-18 years the opportunity to come to University College Dublin to participate in a series of structured workshops where they will learn about genomics and personalised medicine. The workshops provide ample opportunity for engagement with researchers and include ice-breaker activities, lab tours, flash talks and focus groups. The participants then spend three days on the Barretstown campus working with researchers, artists and experienced science communicators to co-create a portfolio of accessible multi-media content covering what they’ve learned, which will be shared on various public and social media platforms.
"Thrilled to have been involved in the remarkable journey of SBI's Let's Chat Medicine program at Barretstown! It's been truly inspiring to collaborate with such talented professionals and passionate young minds."
~ Justyna Doherty, Professional Artist
Young people will not only acquire knowledge of personalised medicine and genomics but will also gain insight into a wide variety of potential career paths through their extensive interactions with professionals in research, teaching/learning, science communications, charity/non-profits and education and public engagement sectors. It is hoped that participants will leave the programme with a developed sense of personal agency and health research literacy. Students will also receive a letter of programme completion which may open the door to future opportunities.
"I was already interested in science but it has been amplified by this programme."
~ Student Participant
The 2024 Let's Chat Medicine programme is currently in its pilot phase with the intent to build on our learnings and grow our reach in the years to come.
Example of this year's programme workshops:
For more information on Let’s Chat Medicine or future workshop opportunities, contact: lcm@ucd.ie
The Let’s Chat Medicine programme is supported in part by funding from Science Foundation Ireland.
Link to 2024 Let's Chat Medicine Workshop Photo Gallery!
#BelieveInScience #LetsChatMedicine
