Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

Youth are potentially very important but neglected participants in public conversations about urban health. This Café Scientifique is intended to address this gap. Young health researchers based at the Centre for Research on Inner City Health and young artists from NIA Centre for the Arts are using creative methods to communicate complex research evidence to youth audiences, through graphic design and videography. The result is an art installation aimed to promote youth awareness, engagement, and dialogue about social determinants of health in Toronto`s neighbourhoods and the factors that can lead to change. We propose to launch this art installation as a Café Scientifique in a youth-friendly venue that provides both gallery space and theatre-style seating for a 2 hour panel presentation and audience discussion. Our objectives are: to create a conversation with youth about the social determinants of health inequality in Toronto and community actions to respond to inequality; to raise awareness about career options in science and the arts that can contribute to social change; and to promote public awareness of the role of CIHR. This event is expected to gain widespread media attention in Toronto. CIHR will be credited in all media announcements.