Here are some of the displays and views I captured on film, from a recent visit to Kew Gardens, London. The KEW Gardens experience is inspirational – it has led me to discover some interesting research.

Whilst some of the most popular indoor sections of the gardens are currently being refurbished, this did mean there was more time to explore the outdoors.

You may have already guessed I have a fondness for trees.

So, it became a day for some “tree-bathing” – well, that’s a term I recently came across – something which seems to me to be a very natural experience enjoyed by so many for centuries. For example, a walk in the woods and just being close to trees and nature lifts the spirit.

The intermittent showers of rain, interspersed with sunshine contributed to making this a refreshing and happy day out with my daughters (their treat to me – a surprise and a change from a shopping trip – the latter being something I also enjoy and not to be entirely dismissed, of course).

On returning home, I was interested to find out a bit more about ‘Forest bathing’ – the practice of taking a short, leisurely visit to a forest for health benefits which is apparently a recognized relaxation and/or stress management activity in Japan. There is increasing interest elsewhere and there is some interesting science behind this as well.

Moreover, I was curious to find out more about KEW. I also discovered some fascinating collaborative research and a 2017 KEW report providing a world perspective of plant-life.

“A detailed knowledge of plants is fundamental to human life on Earth. Plants underpin all aspects of our everyday life — from the food that we eat, to the clothes that we wear, the materials we use, the air we breathe, the medicines we take and much more. These essential services provided by plants are far too often taken for granted. This is the second annual report in which we have scrutinised databases, published literature, policy documents, reports and satellite imagery to provide a synthesis of current knowledge on the world’s plants.” Click here for the full report.

We should always be curious – you never know what you might discover…

Dr Julie Charlesworth 25/06/2017

On April 25th 2017, in Manchester, I attended a unique event on informatics. It was the joint conference of the EFMI (European Federation for Medical Informatics), Medical Informatics Europe Conference and the FARR Institute International Conference. Informatics is not my speciality at all and so I arrived with an open mind and keen to learn more, particularly as this year’s theme was ‘Informatics for Health’.

So, what is health informatics?
There are various definitions and explanations. Essentially, informatics is a science of processing data for storage and retrieval; and according to a medical dictionary it is the collection, classification, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of recorded knowledge. Health informatics is about data-intensive health science and care. It is a multidisciplinary field, involving disciplines such as information science, computer science, social science, behavioural science, management science, statistics and others. It can include aspects of “Big Data” and “Digital Health” programmes.

An over-arching theme of the ‘Informatics for Health 2017’ conference was “connected citizen-led wellness and population health”. There were many specific subject topics in five major areas (1) connected and digital health; (2) health data science; (3) human, organisational, and social aspects; (4) knowledge management; and (5) quality, safety and patient outcomes.

In addition to trying to keep abreast of some of the latest thinking in this rapidly developing field, I think it is important to respect and appreciate different disciplines and approaches. (Many projects I get involved in are cross-disciplinary).

It was an excellent conference including presentations, exhibitions and posters. ‘Delegates were able to share their knowledge, insights and experiences within data-intensive health science, healthcare and digital health business innovation.’ There are some great international and regional initiatives. Personally, it proved to be a thought-provoking experience and there is always more to learn.

Also had the opportunity for a catch-up over coffee at the MCRC stand and took this photo.

Having explored a wide range of aspects of this exciting and challenging field, much of it very new to me and some a bit more familiar, I returned with a sense of how important it is for people to enhance and respect different disciplines. There is so much more to be achieved through co-operation, collaboration and communication.

Dr Julie Charlesworth

With Dr Joanna Denbigh‏ and panelist Dr Pat Troop CBE

I was thrilled to have been invited to the ‘Celebrating Inspiring Women at Manchester’ event on International Women’s Day, 8th March 2017. The informal discussions touched on some interesting questions in Life Sciences, public health and communications. It was also a great opportunity to meet and mingle with women (and men) to reflect on progress made and the challenges ahead for everyone!

More about this and other interesting perspectives to be found here…

Dr Julie Charlesworth

Another use for my boot | A Tree of Life Sciences Ltd

Good news just got the OK to drive again – and found another use for my boot!

In early December, in a heroic (and successful) effort to save my laptop, I fell awkwardly and ended up with a broken fibula – on reflection definitely not worth the pain. A pre-Christmas ‘break’ and not quite the ‘designer boot’ I was wanting from Santa Ho Ho Ho.

End of January and I am well on the road to recovery …

Dr Julie Charlesworth

Sometimes messages are best communicated in fewer words:

‘It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness’

We are increasing our involvement in international high-value collaborative projects, through consultancy and communication work, whilst continuing to support initiatives and causes that are heartfelt.

Here’s to great co-operation, collaboration and communication in 2017!

Dr Julie Charlesworth at MedComms Networking Meeting

In an effort to save my laptop (which was successful) I fell awkwardly and ended up with a broken fibula – on reflection not worth the pain. Anyway, I still managed to get to a MedComms Networking event a few days later. Publishing, Medical Writing and Authorship’ Dec 8th – a very worthwhile meeting for keeping up to date and sharing latest thoughts on transparency. As always it was a great opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues. Not quite the ‘designer boot’ I was wanting from Santa Ho Ho Ho

Julie Charlesworth joins in with some of the team and participants. Sally Jackson (centre) shares tips on new research tools.

The new interactive IT, social media and productivity tools session debut: ‘Show IT, Share IT, Rise and Shine’ at the European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) Conference was a great success!

Dr Julie Charlesworth, the driving force behind this freelance initiative, introduced the session and said, “When our Freelancers have good ideas, as their Freelance Advocate I want to make it happen for them”.
Julie put together a great team of Table Leaders and organisers. There was a 30 min slot available in the conference programme. Freelancers (and others) turned up enthusiastically, even at 8.00 a.m.! This was a new learning and sharing initiative at the EMWA conference. As soon as it started everyone knew it was ‘a winner’ – time flew.
Thank you to Table Leaders and all participants. Apologies to those who were unable to attend when numbers had to be capped at 40 participants.
The popularity and success of the trial run of this initiative is definitely a basis for EMWA to take this forward.

EMWA Freelance Advocate, Dr Julie Charlesworth, introduces Marco Torregrossa, Secretary General at the European Forum of Independent Professionals, to Abraham Shevack, Vice President of EMWA (European Medical Writers Association)

Dr Julie Charlesworth introducing Marco Torregrossa, Secretary General at the European Forum of Independents Professionals, to the Freelance Business Forum

Just to share, in the moment, the exhilarating experience of the freelance (FL) sessions. More information and photos to come.
Meanwhile…

As the EMWA Freelance Advocate I was the driving force behind the introduction of a new initiative for freelancers (FLs): an interactive IT, social media and productivity tools session – Show IT, Share IT, Rise and Shine. Thank you to the Table Leaders and all participants in this trial run. A great success!

When our Freelancers have good ideas, as their Freelance Advocate, I make it happen for them.

An extended Freelance Business Forum (FBF) took place in the evening.
I presented updates on the evolution of the FBF and related activities. FBF initiatives are really taking off! We have been busy – great progress in many different areas.

I was delighted that Marco Torregrossa, Secretary General at the European Forum for Independent Professionals, accepted my invitation to be our FBF guest speaker. Marco gave an inspiring and informative presentation. A lively question period ensued. Marco stayed on for our Table discussions to learn more about freelancing in our profession, enabling him to take into account the challenges that our FLs encounter, when he contributes to policy development at the European level.

The Table discussion period – goes from strength to strength. Thank you to Table Leaders. This session works so well – discussion of hot topics and frank, open and productive exchanges between FLs. It was a stimulating and friendly networking environment.

Special thanks to the conference organising teams and AV support.

Next EMWA conference – Birmingham, May 2017

“C’est la vie!”

MEDIA RECEPTION – Photograph by Matt Wilkinson Photography for ESOF 2016

More about EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) here