Founded in 2017 by Dr Daisy Fancourt, the Arts Health ECRN brought together over 1,000 early career researchers (ECRs) from 30 countries, working on projects that lie at the intersection of the arts, humanities, health and medicine.
We supported ECRs by LINK-ing members together, providing LEARN-ing opportunities and running training events to enable ECRs to LEAD their own research projects. We ran dozens of in-person and online networking events, seminars and training sessions for ECRs across the globe.
The network was led by Daisy Fancourt, with the support of Network Coordinators, Saoirse Finn and Katey Warran. Numerous people supported the network over the years, including former Social Media Officers, Jess Bone, Emily Bradfield and Sarah Yorke, and Blog Editors, Robyn Dowlen and Esme Elsden.
The funding for the network formally came to an end in 2020. In 2025 and beyond, we continue to support ECRs through our work under the umbrella of the Social Biobehavioural Research Group.
To showcase the legacy of the network, we have collated the resources on this page, including useful readings, podcasts, websites, videos and contacts. The network has also been foundational in our active ECR work, such as in the development of our toolkits and other resources that we have linked below.
LEAD
Our LEAD programme aimed to help ECRs run and promote their own research projects. We continue to develop and provide training programmes, including a free online course and our annual week-long immersive Arts Health Research Intensive (pictured).
Learn more about these opportunities on our Training, teaching & support page.
We previously ran a feed on X (formerly Twitter) under @ArtsHealthECRN and a LinkedIn page. Our latest content and opportunities can now be found on our main Social Biobehavioural Research Group channels – we’re on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X.
LEARN
The aim of our LEARN programme was to provide resources for ECRs covering topics relating to the field of arts and health. Below you can find the readings, podcasts, videos and useful links we collated with the community while the network was active. Please note that the lists have not been updated.
Resource Archive (recommended reading, podcasts, videos, useful links)
LINK
Regional representatives from across the world helped us to LINK up with more ECRs. These were voluntary positions and involved helping to advertise the network to ECRs in the representative’s area, identifying opportunities for connection and leadership, while supporting the development of the network. You can browse the list of our former area representatives.