The role of the modern academic is evolving as rapidly as the sciences we study. Massive Open Online Courses, open access publication, vodcast lectures, blogs and social media have revolutionised the role and reach of science - helping to break down walls to the public and policy-makers. We strongly support this academic renaissance and feel that the utilisation of these new communications channels must be valued and recognised skills for a new generation in Global Health.
With this in mind, in 2012 we established NCDFREE - a global social movement committed to ending preventable deaths from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Using inspiring, local narratives and the medium of film, we communicate the challenges, opportunities and solutions of NCDs. With a team of design, communications and health experts, we host vodcasted global NCD events with ‘TED-style’ talks; record interviews; produce open educational content; and make short films – including for university courses and the World Health Organization. We crowdsource video-content from smart phones around the world and have profiled young NCD change-makers from Mongolia, Ghana, Peru and more.
NCDFREE believes in the pedagogic and advocacy opportunities of film and design as tools in the modern Global Health diplomacy armament.