25 Community research through creative methodologies as a tool to explore health inequalities within the urban locale

Background Research over the last few years conducted by Centric in South London, supported by Impact on Urban Health, has revealed that there is limited trust in healthcare institutions. For some communities, resentment and cynicism is linked to health outcomes and widening disparities which are based on ethnicity. Centric over the last year has been developing strategies to facilitate nimble knowledge production – which is a more disruptive academic strategy of disseminating knowledge and data. Therefore, in line with some of the sensitive subject matters which we have explored, it is helpful if research findings can be conveyed in more easily digestible bitesize chunks, and where people can come and tell their stories in a safe space and with anonymity if required. Aim Often research is typically shared and presented in a particular way, which is often detached and distant, specifically within academia. The project that we are exploring intends to visually represent community research and good practice through creative mediums, such as storytelling, relatable animations, and podcasts, as tools for community engagement and knowledge dissemination. Methods/Expected Outcome Offer a space where people can feel safe to tell stories, given distrust of media etc. Provide creative visual content such as animations to research data and findings. Be accessible to people of all ages in the urban locale; excluding these voices is far too costly. These mediums can facilitate dialogue, foster expression, and promote critical consciousness, empowering communities to actively participate in shaping their own health narratives and co-creating solutions. Conclusion Centric Community Research and the project partner is therefore keen to share its work publicly in the hope of inspiring changes in research practice, and at the same time liaise with colleagues conducting similar work in this field so as to contribute to the broader community research archive.