Identities, Communities and Health Research Group

We research contemporary societal issues that affect the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

What is the Identities, Communities and Health Research Group?

Our Research Group explores a range of contemporary and emerging topic areas that influence people’s sense of identity, health and wellbeing. We are interested in these factors at individual, group, and societal levels and invite membership from across the University of Bath.

We focus on:

community health, wellbeing and environmental sustainability
digital communities, social media and identity
social, economic and health participation
inclusion, exclusion and health inequalities

We value qualitative and quantitative approaches, and exploring new methods to address real-world problems.

We are particularly interested in the meanings and experiences of communities, and in conducting research that is co-produced, interdisciplinary, and cross-cultural.

Explore our research themes

People's hands holding a green plant together.

Our research group

Find out more about our group.

Identities, Communities and Health Research Group members

Find out information about members of the Identities, Communities and Health Research Group.

News and insights

Due to their expertise and knowledge, our members often undertake and contribute to important research. They also explore contemporary debates and issues.

Nobody is immune to loneliness, here’s how to prevent it affecting your health

Back view of tourist woman with backpack walking through the dark park near the road late at night alone

Prof Julie Barnett contributed to Vogue's exploration of how loneliness affects health, why we need to talk about it more, and positive steps to preventing it.

Study identifies barriers that limit young men at HIV risk from taking preventative drug

Image of man holding a blue PrET tablet.

A new qualitative study from Bath psychologists suggests a lack of information and perceived necessity, as well as awkwardness, are impacting uptake of PrEP.

Support available for older people experiencing high levels of food poverty in B&NES

Image of two people holding hands - older and younger.

University of Bath psychology research from Dr Leda Blackwood and Rebecca Hurwitz reveals high levels of food insecurity for older people on low incomes.

Festivals can be a powerful force for sustainable lifestyle changes, new research shows

Festivals and mass gatherings can empower and inspire people to make lifestyle changes for a sustainable future, according to new Bath research.

Sharing people with dementia's experiences of public transport

Dr James Fletcher has created IN-CITU, an exhibition of photography and data poetry captured by older people with cognitive impairment.

Reimagining Recruitment in academia

Leda Blackwood has been investigating the factors that cause STEM early career researchers to leave academia.

About us

The Identities, Communities and Health Research Group is part of the Department of Psychology. We were formed in 2003 under the name ‘Critical Research in Social Psychology (CRISP)’.