I.Family wins session at prestigious international science forum

Our researchers will deliver key insights at ESOF 2016

I.Family has faced off tough competition to win a slot in the official scientific programme at the European Science Open Forum (ESOF) 2016, taking place in Manchester next July.

ESOF is the biennial pan-European meeting dedicated to scientific research and innovation.  It attracts a huge audience of 4,500 people, from academics and researchers to media and the public.  The theme for next year’s event is ‘Science as Revolution: From Cottonopolis to Graphene City’, inspired by the industrial location of Manchester, UK.

The applications process for submissions was more competitive than ever this year and has been described as ‘the most successful call in ESOF history.’  The judging panel received over 300 applications to the science programme alone, so we are thrilled to have been selected.

A team from I.Family will deliver a session related to healthy populations – one of nine core themes for ESOF 2016.  Our ‘mindfulness’ workshop, titled ‘Healthy Bodies, Healthy Brains’, will be an interactive experience delivered by some of our early stage researchers from Copenhagen, Germany, The Netherlands and the UK.  Each will present to a broad audience on their areas of research within I.Family, to highlight what has been learned through these investigations about the interaction between physical/mental wellbeing and the environment. Topics will include neuroimaging, ‘nudge’ experiments, media influence and monitoring of the built environment.

Rhonda Smith, who leads on communications for I.Family, says, “The opportunity to have a ‘voice’ within such a prestigious international forum is fantastic for I.Family.  We’re excited to share everything we’ve discovered through our numerous avenues of research.  This workshop will be a unique platform to communicate how our scientific findings can inform individuals, health professionals and policy players to support and implement healthier choices for families across Europe.”