Call for nominations: Scientific Committee of the Urban Health and Wellbeing Programme

The International Science Council’s Affiliated Body Urban Health and Wellbeing is a global science programme considering the multi-factorial and systemic nature of the determinants and the manifestations of health and wellbeing in urban environments.

Since its launch in October 2014, it has contributed to advancing the new urban sciences by developing and applying systems approaches for a better understanding of cities as complex systems and how urban environments impact health and wellbeing. It has also been essential in connecting different disciplinary fields and programmes and academic networks for developing a new urban health science, which builds on systems and complexity science to advance our understanding of the role of cities and urban environments for improving health and wellbeing and ultimately, sustainable development.

The International Programme Office (IPO) aims at stimulating specific research projects, developing new methodologies, building and strengthening scientific capacity, and facilitating communication and outreach to city policy makers and relevant stakeholders.

UHWB is an Affiliated Body of the International Science Council (ISC). It is co-sponsored with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), and hosted by the Institute for Urban Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Xiamen, PR China.

The Scientific Committee (SC) is in charge of defining the strategic and thematic priorities and the medium- and long-term outcomes and activities of the programme within the frame of its new science plan 2021-2025. The Programme usually meets twice per year, normally for 2 days, at least once physically. Some work is also carried out between meetings, and committee members may be asked to contribute to specific working or review groups. Expenses for travel and accommodation for all meetings are covered by the UHWB Programme Office.

The ISC and the co-sponsors of the programme are pleased to invite nominations to serve on the Scientific Committee of UHWB. Up to 6 Scientific Committee members will be appointed until end of May 2025. Their term is renewable once. Only ISC members and scientific institutions can nominate. Nominations are due by Friday 12 August 2022. Note that nominations by individuals and self-nominations will be rejected.

SC members are appointed by the International Science Council (ISC). The main criterion for selection is scientific expertise. The SC must bring together a broad range of disciplines covering natural, social, behavioural, engineering, health, and systems sciences, as they relate to the programme’s focus. Additional areas of expertise of value to the SC are: resilience and risk reduction, education, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, complex systems and modelling, and bridging the science-policy interface. Links with relevant policy networks and funding agencies are an asset. Experience and willingness to work with a very interdisciplinary group is critical. Gender and geographic balance are also taken into account.

All nominations should be submitted by completing and uploading the following Nomination Form:

⬇ Should you be interested to nominate candidates for the Scientific Committee, please complete the online form below and upload the completed nomination form by 12 August 2022.

Relevant websites:

Urban Health and Wellbeing: http://urbanhealth.cn/en/
International Science Council: https://council.science
InterAcademy Partnership: http://interacademy.org
International Society for Urban Health: http://isuh.org
Institute of Urban Environment: http://english.iue.cas.cn/

Photo by ZACHARY STAINES on Unsplash.