Bringing together art and science

“We’re delighted to be involved in Refuge. It’s fantastic to see clinical and lab-based scientists working with the creative arts community to intrigue and inform the broader community about pandemic infections, particularly influenza, and what we can do to minimize the risks.” – Laureate Professor Peter Doherty – Patron of the Doherty Institute

Refuge brings together leading scientists, researchers and artists to explore ways to collectively and creatively respond to the health impacts of climate change. In Refuge 2018: Pandemic, artists Lee Shang Lun, Madeleine Flynn and Tim Humphrey participated in artist residencies at the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity to undertake research in epidemiology and to explore the ethics and the complexity involved in managing the impacts of disease.

The Doherty Institute is a joint initiative between the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Melbourne acting as both a clinical facility and a research institute. The Doherty Institute is the key partner on Refuge 2018: Pandemic contributing real scientific research and expertise.

The unique relationship between the Doherty Institute and Arts House for Refuge exemplifies the kind of collaborative responses we need to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Whether an immediate disaster or a long-term crisis – like climate change – Refuge builds resilience between communities and organisations and across disciplines and ways of thinking.