Public Health Research Officer - Birmingham, United Kingdom - Midlands Arts Centre

Midlands Arts Centre

Verified Company

Birmingham, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

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Description

Job Advert

Post:
Public Health Research Officer

Specialist interest:
Performance (Music & Dance) in a cultural organisation

Reports to:
Artistic Director

Contract:
Full time, two year fixed-term contract

Location:
Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston B12 9QH & Birmingham City Council 10 Woodcock Street, Birmingham, B7 4BL (1 day a week)

Job Summary

The Public Health Research Officer will work across MAC's varied community programmes to develop a comprehensive evidence base on the impact of dance and music participation upon public health.

Taking the Birmingham Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy - Creating a Bolder, Healthier City , the research will focus upon the impact that physical activities through dance and music performance can have on preventing and promoting better physical and mental health for Birmingham citizens

Alongside the mental and physical impact of performance on people's health and wellbeing, the Public Health Research Officer will also consider MAC's location situated in Cannon Hill Park and the way in which the natural environment can enable positive social interaction and healthier lifestyles, such as gardening and walking clubs within a creative context.

About the role

The post holder will work jointly with MAC and Birmingham City Council Public Health team to improve understanding and impact of an artistic programme of performance in particular music and dance on public health.

The research will support Birmingham City Council's ambition to become a 'Bolder Healthier City' where every citizen, whoever they are, wherever they live and at every stage of life can make choices that empower them to be happy and healthy.

The post holder will be an integral part of MAC's Artistic team working across Performance, Community and Learning teams to explore the value of engagement with the arts for adults in a diverse cultural setting.

Context and background

This is one of several Public Health Research Officers who have been recently employed to research the benefits of creative public health in Birmingham.

They partner with arts, cultural and heritage organisations such as Birmingham Museum Trust, Hippodrome Theatre and Ikon with the aim of benefitting individuals and communities.

Birmingham City Council promotes this across their key policies and strategies.

By funding these roles, the aim is to increase the ability to have high quality involvement and engagement. This is to ensure that research opportunities and outcomes are accessible to and representative of the people of Birmingham.

The aim is to involve traditionally underserved people as Birmingham has high levels of spatial deprivation, deep-rooted poverty, and high social and economic challenges and this contributes towards elevated levels of disease burden and health inequality across the city.

The Public Health Research Officers will enhance existing research and increase new research involvement and engagement to improve the links between local communities and research.

This will improve access and opportunities for research, particularly with the priority areas outlined.

The Public Health Officers will support these aims and our research and development principles by:

- displaying examples of existing good practice within Birmingham - these have been effective in creative public health and increased research potential
- outlining next steps and future targeted projects to build upon current work
- working with their host organisation to maximise creative public health implementation work

Key Responsibilities

The role will use an array of research methods and approaches to develop a detailed evidence base on the impact of a contemporary arts centre on the public health of adults and wider community groups.

The role will involve working with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including MAC's creative teams, Associate Artists, Artist Tutors and community partners.

Through these collaborations the post holder will devise with MAC's Senior Management Team the local health priorities; delivery and strategic plans.

Through analyses of the work conducted by MAC and Birmingham City Council Public Health, recommendations will be drawn up for implementation and inclusion for the city.

Research and Development

Research and develop a rich evidence base on the impact of a contemporary arts centre on public health specific to communities of identity, experience and place in Birmingham
Involve and inspire Birmingham residents in research and findings
Work alongside MAC's Creative team, Associate Artists, Artist Tutors and freelancers to develop innovative approaches to address health problems
Work with MAC's Development Team to prepare funding bids and reports
Identify new insights and support MAC and Birmingham City Council's Senior Management Teams in developing innovative solutions to health problems in the City
Influence policy and