Transdisciplinary research as a means of protecting human health, ecosystems and climate by engaging people to act on air pollution

Büker, P. et al. (2024) Transdisciplinary research as a means of protecting human health, ecosystems and climate by engaging people to act on air pollution. Documentation. One Health Cases, CABI Publishing. (doi: 10.1079/onehealthcases.2024.0002).

Abstract

Air pollution harms the health of humans, nature and wildlife, agricultural crops and livestock and climate. As a result, it hinders the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Change). In order to improve human and (agro-)ecosystem health, One Health approaches for better air quality must account for local knowledge, cultural practices and priorities. People with lower socio-economic status often have limited awareness of air pollution yet are affected most through personal exposure and increased food prices. This case trialled a new, co-created transdisciplinary approach to air pollution awareness raising in the Mukuru community in Nairobi, Kenya. The pilot study used interviews, storytelling, participatory mapping, theatre, playful activities and music with the aim of discovering affected communities’ perceptions of air pollution, increasing understanding and empowering people to demand that policy makers develop and implement effective, inclusive air pollution abatement policies.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Documentation)
• Additional Information: This project was funded by the Medical Research Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (grant reference AH/R006059/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gray, Professor Cindy
• Authors: Büker, P., West, S. E., Bowyer, C. J., Apondo, W., Cinderby, S., Gray, C. M., Hahn, M., Lambe, F., Loh, M., Medcalf, A., Muhoza, C., Muindi, K., Njoora, T. K., Twigg, M. M., Waelde, C., Walnycki, A., Wainwright, M., Wendler, J., Wilson, M., and Price, H. D.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: One Health Cases
• Publisher: One Health Cases, CABI Publishing
• ISSN: 2958-4345
• ISSN (Online): 2958-4345

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
300728		Air pollution in Informal settlements Research Network (AIR Network)	Lucinda Gray	Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)	AH/R006059/1	S&PS - Institute of Health & Wellbeing (Social Sciences)