Empower all women and girls

Young minds from Presdales School in Hertfordshire are the creative stars in an innovative new partnership between the Ideas Foundation, QMUL and Barts Health NHS Trust. This initiative combines the power of science and art, as students collaborate with renowned photographers Eliska Sky and Michael Cockerham to design compelling campaigns addressing the pressing issue of Hidden Pollution.

Drawing on the clinical trial on air pollution and pregnancy health led by Dr Tina Chowdhury, the project aims to highlight the often-overlooked impacts of pollution on vulnerable populations and inspire actionable change. Students worked alongside Tina and her team of inspiring Women in STEMM who are leading the way on research into pollution and women’s health.

Tina Chowdhury who is a Reader in Regenerative Medicine at Queen Mary's Centre for Bioengineering explains the critical urgency of the issue, stating: "We now have enough evidence that exposure to air pollution has serious health effects on vulnerable populations and can cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as lung cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, and mental health conditions. Exposure to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and young people accelerate chronic conditions, leading to premature inflammatory diseases. People who live in the most deprived areas of the city are affected by poor air quality both outdoors and in the home. We need to educate our young people, reduce pollution in our environment by half, and drive a change that reduces healthcare costs and benefits the economy."

Students channelled their creativity to raise awareness about the invisible dangers of pollution, drawing inspiration from Queen Mary's cutting-edge research. Students were mentored by Eliska Sky, who has worked with Vogue and other leading fashion titles, and Michael Cockerham, whose work on health campaigns has featured in the Guardian. Students explored how powerful visuals, and copy can inspire public understanding by creating a poster campaign.

Jonathan Grigg who is a Consultant Paediatrician and Professor of Paediatric Respiratory and Environmental Medicine at the Blizard Institute and has led major reports from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health on outdoor and indoor air pollution reviewed the poster presentations created by cosmetic, indoor and outdoor pollution teams. He said “To rapidly reduce exposure of children to indoor and outdoor air pollution academics across disciplines must work creatively with policy makers, parents, and of course, children themselves.”

This partnership is funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, Centre for Public Engagement and the Ideas Foundation reflecting our commitment to empowering young people through creative industries while tackling real-world challenges. By fostering collaboration between academia, creative professionals and students, the initiative seeks to educate and inspire the next generation of changemakers.