Communities Secretary praises “great work” of Yunus Centre

Professor Cam Donaldson with Communities Secretary Angela Constance and Professor Rachel Baker

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities Angela Constance praised the “great work” being carried out by researchers at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health during a visit to Glasgow Caledonian University.

The research centre, named in honour of GCU Emeritus Chancellor Professor Muhammad Yunus, aims to transform the lives of vulnerable communities through pioneering research focused on health and wellbeing.

Speaking during a meet-and-greet with researchers and staff, Angela Constance MSP said: “It’s very important to be able to evidence impact.

“The people on the frontline know first-hand the impact of their work and that sometimes it can be quite hard to evidence. Nonetheless, it’s important for policy decisions and funding decisions. It’s good to hear about your great work.”

The Cabinet Secretary heard about a number of research studies into social enterprise projects, including WEvolution, which helps women on low income to save small amounts of money, and Impact Arts, which uses the arts to improve the lives of vulnerable young people.

Professor Rachel Baker, Director of the Yunus Centre, said: “We have 15 PhD students working in areas broadly to do with social vulnerability, whether or not that is poverty, health inequality or unemployment. We are about evidencing and social innovation and finding evidence of impact, particularly on health and wellbeing.”

The Yunus Centre was founded in 2010 by Professor Cam Donaldson, one of the world’s foremost health economists. The work of the Centre cuts across the three main societal challenges listed in Glasgow Caledonian University’s Research Strategy: inclusive societies, healthy lives and sustainable environments.

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