Eastern Arc ECR Health Conference 2025

Reimagining Health and Wellbeing Across Societies and Systems

University of Essex

Tuesday 8 July 2025

The first Eastern Arc Health Conference for early career researchers (ECRs) will take place at the University of Essex on 8 July 2025.

Co-hosted and led by the Essex School of Health and Social Care and the  Institute for Public Health and Wellbeing, the Conference will bring together self-defined early career researchers and practitioners across the four Eastern Arc institutions (Universities of East Anglia, Essex, Kent, and Sussex) to share their research and imagine the future. This is an opportunity to showcase ideas, network, discuss research, receive feedback, and develop new collaborations across the South East and East of England.

Abstract

Health impacts every aspect of our lives from personal fulfilment to societal prosperity. As we navigate a world marked by interconnected challenges, the theme “Reimagining Health and Wellbeing Across Societies and Systems” underscores the urgency to rethink healthcare systems, foster cross-sector collaboration, and address health inequities at various entry points.

This conference invites early career researchers (ECRs) to envision a future where transformative solutions empower individuals and communities to thrive. Together, we aim to redefine wellbeing not just as the absence of illness, but as a holistic state of physical, mental, and social health across diverse populations.

The conference will include research themes such as:

  • Digital Health and Human System Interaction
  • Health Inequalities, Human Rights, and Social Justice
  • Sustainable Health Systems and the Environment
  • Culture, Community, and Resilience
  • Gender Equity
  • Mental Health, Trauma, and Wellbeing
  • Non-Communicable Diseases and Neurodevelopmental Conditions
  • Healthy Ageing
  • Social Policy, Social Care, and Welfare
  • Vulnerability and Health
  • Biology of health and disease

Audience

We encourage all self-defined ECRs and post-graduate research students to apply for this exciting opportunity. ECRs are commonly defined as being within 5 years of the first academic appointment. Nonetheless, the 5-year period will be longer for those who have experienced career transitions or taken career breaks due to caring responsibilities among other reasons. Post-graduate research students include those studying MPhil, MRes, PhD, and Professional Doctorate degrees at any stage of their programme.