Connection profile

gillblack

About: I began my post-doctoral career as an infectious diseases researcher in 1997. Following 13 years of international experience as a field-based immunologist I transitioned into the practice and research of community and public engagement. In 2010 I co-founded the Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation (SLF), an independent research and engagement organization based in Cape Town. In my capacity as a co-director at SLF, I work to engage with people living in marginalized settings about the public health and health-related research that most affect their lives. I have nurtured a strong interest in participatory visual methods and have gained experience in digital storytelling, applied theatre, participatory photography and collaborative filmmaking. I have recently developed innovative approaches to body mapping and hand mapping to promote knowledge exchange between researchers and community members. I have studied and worked at the Universities of Glasgow, Oxford, Cambridge, London and Stellenbosch. I hail from Scotland and have lived in Cape Town for 18 years.