STEP THREE. Do your research...
What’s already going on?
You’ve learnt the science and you’ve even learnt the main responses, but what is actually happening on a day-to-day basis? First look at your university and medical school to see how much, if anything, on climate change and health research or advocacy is going on. Use your university’s search engine and use terms like your university’s name plus “climate and health,” or “environment and health”. There can be real gains – try it with Peninsula, UEA or UCL to see an example - both have great stuff on climate change and health.
Then contact the key players to register your interest and ask to be kept in the loop.
Once you’ve got a feel for your university, look around: there are plenty of other organisations (student and not) you can link up with -visit them, chat to them, share ideas and inspiration and take part in their projects – a great learning experience.
Check out their websites, find the most appropriate person to email and say something along the lines of “my name is....I’m a student....I’m very interested and keen to get involved and active...can I take part in any of your activities....can you advise me on something I can do in this region of the UK....let’s meet up and chat....”.
If you want any help linking up with an organization we have links to, eg. the NHS SDU, CHC or CSH, email us and we can help.
Then maybe start to think about more formal partnerships – internships as a prime example – or working together with local student groups such as the green group at your University to organise an action week or a 1-day conference for example.
You’ve learnt the science and you’ve even learnt the main responses, but what is actually happening on a day-to-day basis? First look at your university and medical school to see how much, if anything, on climate change and health research or advocacy is going on. Use your university’s search engine and use terms like your university’s name plus “climate and health,” or “environment and health”. There can be real gains – try it with Peninsula, UEA or UCL to see an example - both have great stuff on climate change and health.
Then contact the key players to register your interest and ask to be kept in the loop.
Once you’ve got a feel for your university, look around: there are plenty of other organisations (student and not) you can link up with -visit them, chat to them, share ideas and inspiration and take part in their projects – a great learning experience.
Check out their websites, find the most appropriate person to email and say something along the lines of “my name is....I’m a student....I’m very interested and keen to get involved and active...can I take part in any of your activities....can you advise me on something I can do in this region of the UK....let’s meet up and chat....”.
If you want any help linking up with an organization we have links to, eg. the NHS SDU, CHC or CSH, email us and we can help.
Then maybe start to think about more formal partnerships – internships as a prime example – or working together with local student groups such as the green group at your University to organise an action week or a 1-day conference for example.