Health and Wellbeing

From humble paper baubles to high-fashion runways and soft robotics, paper engineer Darryl Bedford reveals that a simple sheet of paper is a gateway to infinite possibilities.

Help researchers reimagine school toilets at our interactive, family-friendly event. Step into life-size cardboard toilet cubicles and graffiti your thoughts, and build Lego models of your perfect loo.

Join Sian Williams, broadcast journalist and counselling psychologist, for tips, expert research and stories from those who’ve learnt how to ride the worry wave to thrive.

As our society ages, questions of how we care for our loved ones are more urgent than ever. Join authors Caleb Klaces and JT Welsch for a vital, compassionate conversation about navigating the ‘final chapters’ and the ethics of care in later life

Obstetrician James Drife explores the history of maternity care from the era of untrained midwives through to the introduction of national maternity care and beyond.

What exactly happens in the therapy room between client and therapist? Retired psychotherapist Michael Guilding lifts the lid on the process of counselling and psychotherapy.

Join psychologist Karisha George and find out how to turn setbacks into superpowers, transforming past experiences into the confidence you need to boldly take up space.

How do decision makers decide what the NHS should pay for new medicines? What factors are likely to influence the price? Find out with researchers from York Health Economics Consortium.

Join historian Katherine Harvey for a fresh look at medieval wellness as she sheds light on the practical and surprisingly relatable ways medieval individuals cared for body and mind.

Discover how gardens support memories, identity and social connections through a talk and exhibition sharing the ‘garden stories’ of people living with dementia at home.

Psychologist and neuroscientist Dusana Dorjee provides an evidence-based roadmap for those looking for more effective ways to support primary school pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.

Friends. Lovers. Therapists. ‘Deathbots’. Sociologist James Muldoon explores what happens to our relationships with each other as AI enters our personal lives.

What exactly happens in the therapy room between client and therapist? Retired psychotherapist Michael Guilding lifts the lid on the process of counselling and psychotherapy.

What can we learn from our canine friends? Philosopher Mark Rowlands explores the way dogs experience the world to bring us closer to an understanding of ourselves.

Join us for a challenge against the clock as competing finalists each have just three minutes to outline the power of their research in the annual York Three Minute Thesis competition.

Struggling with joint pain or insomnia? You aren’t alone. Drawing on personal experience, Dame Kelly Holmes shares tips on managing middle age and the menopause.

With thousands of Britons taking the plunge, our expert panel dives into the psychology and mental health benefits of cold-water swimming.

Could stigmatising ultra-processed foods be doing more harm than good? Public health nutritionist Beverley O'Hara argues framing foods as inherently ‘dangerous’ risks distorting the science and may have unintended consequences.

Discover how combining heritage crafting and outdoor natural spaces can offer a powerful way to boost our mental health and resilience.

You used to see a doctor. Now you go online. Journalist Deborah Cohen reveals the truth behind Ozempic influencers, AI-powered diagnoses, ‘preventative’ screening and Instagram’s favourite wearable tech.

Welcome to the Natural Health Service! In this interactive workshop, we will step into the great outdoors to discover the powerful impact on human health and wellbeing of spending time in our protected landscapes.

Join Richard Gale, an internationally renowned expert in medical diseases of the retina, as he focuses on the critical question: how much vision can be saved in the future?

Discover York’s evolving history of medicine and mental health, and explore how ideas of illness, treatment and control have shaped the city and the lives of its people.