Hi everyone, I’m Cadence, a final year BSc Medical Biosciences student at Imperial College London. As part of my degree, I undertook a 14-week work placement as the Science Communication Assistant within the Communications and Engagement team at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS). Thanks to the trust of my supervisor, Lindsay, I was given an opportunity to co-lead a cross-institute public engagement project called “Sci:Art Perspectives” with Dr Caroline Gillett, an assistant professor in Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement, at the University of Birmingham. 

The Sci:Art Perspective project aimed to raise awareness around PCOS and GDM, share research, and use creative approaches to make science more accessible. 

Late last year, two workshops – one at the LMS (London) and another at Edgbaston Park Hotel (Birmingham) – brought together researchers, clinicians, artists, and individuals with lived experience to discuss women’s health. Scientists from Imperial College London, King’s College London, the University of Birmingham, the University of Oxford and the LMS shared their findings, while participants with PCOS and GDM shared their personal journeys. Artists facilitated discussions through art and craft sessions, bridging science and personal experience in an interactive and meaningful way. 

Workshop participants described the experience as informative, supportive, and engaging. Some PCOS attendees found hope in realising that, while there isn’t a cure yet, scientists are actively working toward one. A GDM participant with traumatising GDM experience shared that she found the workshop therapeutic and allowed her to make peace with her emotions.  Her openness in sharing her journey with everyone highlighted the event’s impact, demonstrating how it created a safe space for open conversations. 

Inspired by these discussions, artists created pieces that captured both the scientific and personal dimensions of these conditions. The collection, including a sculpture, a participatory poem, embroidered textiles, and paintings, was showcased at Scale Space White City on 30 January 2025, drawing 33 attendees. The event also featured a panel discussion with the project lead Dr Caroline Gillett, Dr Gabriela Da Silva Xavier – a GDM researcher from the University of Birmingham and workshop participant, and all participating artists, exploring the role of art in science communication. Attendees generally described the art showcase as inspiring, thought-provoking, engaging and insightful.  Through sculptures, poetry, embroidery and paintings, science became more accessible, emotional, and impactful. With all respondents finding it worthwhile to connect scientists, artists and patients, and 100% agreeing that art should be used more often to engage people with science and research, this project proves that when art and science unite, they can empower, heal and educate. 

All of the events were documented by the videographer, Jon Wood, who will be putting everything together into a documentary – stay tuned! A dedicated webpage is in development to provide an overview of the project and offer access to the documentary. 

The success of the Sci:Art Perspectives project would not have been possible without the support of the LMS staff, dedicated researchers, talented artists, and courageous participants who contributed their voices and experiences. Their collective efforts have helped advance public understanding and engagement with women’s health research, by integrating creativity and scientific inquiry. 

*The project was funded by a Wellcome Research Enrichment Grant awarded to LMS director, Professor Wiebke Alrt. 

Written by Cadence Ong Jing Han