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Institute for Medical Humanities
Art by Lonfeldt

This project is now closed. For current Institute for Medical Humanities projects please see our new projects page.

Weathered Lives

This project has received funding from the Wellcome Trust (2019-2021), the ESRC (2021) and County Durham Sport (2021-2022).

Background:

Weather is a constant thrum in our everyday lives. It shapes what we see, feel, say, where we go, and what we do when we get there. It is also integral to our health and wellbeing from extreme events often causing injury and mortality, to everyday weathers having more subtle impacts on movement and mood. Weather weaves through our memories, is part of our identity, our sense of belonging, and our future imaginings.

Within the context of a changing climate, Weathered Lives is an ongoing programme of research and activities exploring how in the context of a changing climate we relate to, experience, respond, and contribute to our local weather worlds across the life course.

Weathered Lives connects with several of IMH’s research strands including Everyday Environments and Critical Concepts.

Research Team:

Prof. Cassandra Phoenix (Lead investigator, Durham)

Dr Sarah Bell (University of Exeter)

Dr Benedict Wheeler (University of Exeter)

Project Activities

Activities undertaken as part of the Weathered Lives project.

In Memoriam

A collaboration with multidisciplinary artist Luke Jerram, In Memoriam references the role that the weather played in our health and mental wellbeing during lockdown.

Whatever the Weather

Weathered Lives was invited to lead a panel discussion as part of the Communicate programme organised by The Natural History Consortium.
Surfer in the snow

Weather Wonderings

The Weather Wonderings workshop brought together 25 academics spanning various career stages and disciplines with a shared interest in weather.
Sketchnote reflecting on the place of health and wellbeing through life's varied and fluctuating weather

Temperature Life Stories: Feeling the Heat

The Weathered Lives team were invited to collaborate on a new project exploring human experiences of rising temperatures.
Cropped version of the Temperature Life Stories

Weatherlines

An online creative writing workshop, designed to explore the significance of weather in our lives.
Black and white photo of line of desks on beach with typewriters and chairs

Winter Walking in Older Age

A collaborative research project with County Durham Sport to understand the role of winter-weather for older adults walking practices in County Durham.
Backs of two people walking down a snowy path under the cover of snow-covered trees

Creative Conversations

An In Conversation event with writer, editor and environmental humanities scholar Samantha Walton.
Flyer advertising Sam Walton talk on 'Everybody Needs Beauty' and the connections between nature and health