Get involved in ‘Measuring Humanity’
Measuring Humanity is based on research showing how asset-based approaches can engage
marginalised and disadvantaged communities, collect ‘data’ from so-called ‘hard-to-reach’ communities
and inform health service improvements.
As you know, asset-based approaches are bottom-up, community development initiatives that aim to
mobilise knowledge, skills and communities’ lived experiences to facilitate positive change, improve
services and tackle inequalities.
This project will facilitate the implementation and accelerate impact of a co-produced methodological
framework – an asset-based indicator framework (ABIF) – to “measure” impacts of creative community
engagement approaches on health and inequalities developed with NHSGGC, BME communities,
policymakers and the third sector.
An interactive, multi-media web portal will:
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translate research on the framework’s first application with the BME population.
forge micro-macro links between local initiatives and organisational, national and international
targets and performance frameworks.
promote solidarity by sharing community and stakeholder insights on health and equity.
encourage further dialogue between community members and stakeholders on how/whether
we can “measure humanity” through traditional frameworks and indicators.
Why are we asking you to get involved?
The Measuring Humanity portal will include a section linking the application of a co-produced AssetBased Indicator Framework (ABIF) to:
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local policies (eg. NHS Local Delivery Plans)
national policies (eg. HEAT targets; National Performance Framework; Health and Social Care
Outcomes; Improvement and Co-production Plan; NHS Board Contribution to Community
Planning Partnership Plans, Community Empowerment Act, Public Bodies Joint Working Act)
international policies (UN Sustainable Development Goals)
any others that you would like to share with us?
We recognise your expertise in using and understanding these policies and approaches. We’d like to
have informal video-recorded interviews with you about these policies then translate them into straighttalking, non-jargon materials so community members can make sense of them.
Ultimately, our project is:
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Changing the way health and inequalities in community settings is understood and “measured”
among service providers and policymakers.
Informing local, national and international policies on equality, community empowerment,
poverty and sustainability.
Increasing public understanding of how solidarity is linked to health and equity.
Changing the attitudes and perceptions among academics, policymakers and service providers
about “what is evidence?” when humanistic approaches and measures are advocated in policy
and practice.
What else are we doing?
We’re linking up with artists and comedians to present policies directly linked to this research in a
straight-talking non-jargon way through a feature called ‘Policy Whispers’. Based on Chinese Whispers, a
game in which a message is distorted by being passed around in a whisper, we will interview
policymakers about legislations that impact on community members (such as the Community
Empowerment Act) to help them understand what it means to them and how they can use the law to
challenge institutions and powers that create and maintain inequitable circumstances.
We’re also producing podcasts, music and other audio-visual materials to help us explain how we can
‘Measure Humanity’ and tell the stories of community members in creative ways.
For more details, get in touch with Dr Marisa de Andrade at the University of Edinburgh on 0131 651
5554 or [email protected]