Peer Research across the pond: a fascinating UK study exposes barriers and bias bolstered by the pandemic
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James Watson chats with two fab guests from the UK. Vas Papageorgiou is a PhD student at the Patient Experience Research Centre in School of Public Health at the Imperial College London, England. Husseina Hamza is a peer researcher, community advocate, and the co-founder and director of Red Ribbon Living Well, a volunteer-led community organization for people living with and affected by HIV.
We explore experiences of peer research in the UK and Canada and discuss the findings of a fascinating qualitative study looking at the impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV. Not surprisingly, Canada and UK share similar challenges, barriers and biases.... but also the resilience and optimism for living well!
Our episode guests
Vas Papageorgiou
PhD student (Public Health), Imperial College London
Vas is a PhD student in the Patient Experience Research Centre, School of Public Health at Imperial College London. Her research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the impact of social determinants on the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV in the United Kingdom. Vas recently led a participatory project in collaboration with the peer-led support charity Positively UK to explore the experiences of people living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Win the lottery or land your dream job? Land dream job.
Time machine or magic wand? Time machine.
Logic or emotion? Emotion.
Messy desk or clean desk? Messy desk.
Work from the office or work from home? Blended.
Husseina Hamza
Community Advocate and Peer Researcher
Husseina is a co-founder and director of Red Ribbon Living Well, a volunteer-led community organisation for individuals affected by and living with HIV. She has been a Community Advocate for 15 years working across areas including sexual and reproductive health, mental health, female genital mutilation, and domestic abuse. Husseina was most recently involved in a peer research study interviewing people living with HIV in the UK about their experiences during COVID-19.
Win the lottery or land your dream job? Land dream job.
Time machine or magic wand? Magic wand.
Logic or emotion? Logic.
Messy desk or clean desk? Messy desk.
Work from office or work from home? Office.
A few episode notes…
Vas Papageorgiou invites you to learn more about patient experience research at the London Imperial College. Plus read specifically about peer research and training at the college. Be sure to also follow both Vas and The Imperial College on Twitter: @vaspapa_ and @Imperial_PERC.
You’ll also want to check out Red Ribbon, a volunteer-led community organization co-founded by Husseina Hamza, which operates in South East London. And follow Red Ribbon on Facebook.
