Open Lab
Between 2021 and 2022 we hosted monthly lunchtime Open Lab meetings for our network to come together, hear the latest research, and join the conversation.
As per the name, the sessions were ‘open’ to all network members, and we encouraged anyone with an interest in research focused on children and young people’s mental health to attend.
Each Open Lab was slightly different, but was always a friendly and informal space that allowed participants a chance to get to know each other and form useful connections. A session might include:
Short research presentations
Short presentations on a practical topic e.g. methodology, securing grants, communications, etc.
An opportunity to ask questions of the speakers
Breakout sessions to allow participants to discuss topics raised informally with one another.
Previous Open Lab Meetings
June 2022
Engaging with policy: Responding to the call for evidence for the UK Government’s new mental health plan
Speaker: Professor Cathy Creswell (University of Oxford)
May 2022
Neurodivergence and Mental Health: How Do We Embrace Complexity?
Speakers:
- Georgia Harper – Embracing Complexity Coalition Lead
- Suzie Sapiets – Universities of Warwick and Kent
April 2022
Evidence Into Practice: Improving Implementation of Children and Young People’s Mental Health Research.
Speakers:
- Dr Holly Bear – University of Oxford
- Professor Jonathan Parker – University of Exeter and CEDAR
March 2022
Live music gigs and concerts: a ‘staged’ approach to mental wellbeing for children and young people.
Speakers:
- Amy Woodhouse – Children in Scotland
- Dr Lynne Gilmour – University of Stirling
February 2022
Who benefits and how? Young people’s involvement in mental health research.
Speakers: Researchers from the CoRay project and the McPin Foundation
December 2021
Racism and children & young people’s mental health in the UK
Speakers:
- Dr Shioma-lei Craythorne – Aston University
- Dr Verity Jones – University of West of England
- Dr Yasmin Ahmadzadeh – Kings College London
November 2021
How can design bring up together to improve children and young people’s mental health?
Speaker: Keili Koppel
October 2021
Perinatal & Infant Mental Health
Speakers:
- Professor Pasco Fearon – Chair in Developmental Psychopathology, University College London
- Rachael Loftus – Specialist Infant Mental Health Midwife for Little Minds Matter Team, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust