Wolfson Centre researcher attends Royal Society UK and South Africa Frontiers of Science meeting in Johannesburg

Dr Jessica Armitage, a researcher from the Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health, recently attended the Royal Society UK and South Africa Frontiers of Science meeting, organised in partnership with the Academy of Science of South Africa.

Held in Johannesburg from 25 to 27 September 2024, this year’s event brought together 60 early career researchers (ECRs) from Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. The meeting’s theme, “Environmental Health and its Implications on Human Health,” facilitated a unique interdisciplinary dialogue on environmental impacts on health across diverse regions.

The meeting covered five key research themes, each explored through interactive two-hour sessions with presentations, panel discussions, and a dedicated poster session. Dr Armitage contributed to the “Medical/Neuroscience: Adolescent Mental Health” theme and represented the Wolfson Centre.

In addition to the theme-focused sessions, the event included discussions on collaboration and policy. During a breakout session, Dr Armitage and fellow researchers identified key challenges and set priorities for future research, which will be compiled and shared with relevant stakeholders to inform ongoing scientific efforts.

Following the meeting, Dr Armitage has been actively involved in setting up a UK and South Africa mental health network , aiming to build on the connections and collaborations initiated at the event. This network is expected to lay the foundation for future research partnerships and knowledge exchange in young people’s mental health.

Dr Armitage concluded: “It was great to attend this international event and represent the Wolfson Centre. I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues in the UK and South Africa on the mental health network and forge further connections in the youth mental health research field.”

Visit the Royal Society’s events page to learn more about the Royal Society’s UK-South Africa Frontiers of Science meetings and their goals in promoting cross-disciplinary research.