In an exciting development bridging science, art, and public engagement, we have appointed internationally acclaimed BioArtist Anna Dumitriu as our new Artist in Residence for the 2023–2028 funding cycle.
Anna will leverage her background in BioArt to bring unique insights to research themes, including Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Infection, led by Dr Jane Freeman.
Dr Freeman, Deputy Theme Lead for AMR and Infection, has collaborated with Anna on numerous occasions, including the recent successful exhibition “Fragile Microbiomes” at the Thackray Medical Museum. The show garnered attention for its thought-provoking exploration of microbial ecosystems and their impacts on health, showcasing how art can serve as a compelling medium for complex scientific ideas.
The success of the AMR and Infection collaboration has set the stage for further interdisciplinary innovation across the centre’s other research themes. Anna’s work with Leeds BRC underscores the growing value of artistic partnerships in healthcare research—especially as more funding bodies prioritise creative outreach and dissemination strategies. By fostering engagement beyond traditional academic audiences, Anna’s residency will encourage new perspectives and a broader public understanding of pressing healthcare challenges.
Dr Jane Freeman said: “We’re thrilled to expand Anna’s collaboration across the BRC. Her work doesn’t just translate scientific concepts; it invites the public into the conversation and sparks critical reflection on ethical and social issues in biomedical research.”
Anna’s works have been showcased in leading museums worldwide and she is renowned for her innovative, hands-on approach to public engagement. Through workshops, exhibitions, and site-specific installations like “Don’t Try This at Home” at The Eden Project, she invites diverse audiences to engage directly with scientific themes as a sensory aesthetic experience. With over a million visitors annually, The Eden Project installation has demonstrated how her work reaches broad public audiences, creating accessible and powerful dialogues about science and society.
The Leeds BRC residency offers several benefits:
Enhanced public engagement: Anna’s art facilitates new ways of sharing healthcare research, inviting public participation and interaction through workshops.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration: Her background with NIHR, Arts Council, and Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPRSC) projects underscores the potential for artistic innovation across various healthcare research themes.
Funding opportunities: By integrating art with science, the residency opens new avenues for arts-based funding streams, enriching Leeds BRC’s outreach efforts.
As Leeds BRC advances into this new funding cycle, Anna’s residency reflects a commitment to meaningful and innovative public engagement. The collaboration promises to deliver profound insights and opportunities, spotlighting the power of BioArt in the ever-evolving dialogue between science, society, and culture.
Visit Anna’s website for more information about her work.