Community Engagement

Working with the public

I have utilized multimedia platforms to bridge research findings with community understanding, producing documentaries, and curating art exhibitions that communicate complex health and illness narratives. In 2022, I hosted the first documentary screening and art exhibition at our faculty and used it as a platform to encourage conversation between academics, the public, and policymakers. Currently, I work with a consortium of stakeholders on a community social impact project addressing pre-teen abortion. My primary work falls into the area of Particpatory Action Research and Arts Based Research Methods. The most recent community project won a Springer Nature Inclusive Health Research Award for the inclusion of community in the design, implementation and reporting of the work. My current knowledge translation activities include storybooks, film, social media, and artistic exhibitions. 

Hendricks L, et al. (2024, In production). Enabling environments – Research Documentary.

Hendricks L., Abrahams, L., Mottie, B., van Wyk, J., Julies, R., Dollie, R., Dollie, R., De Beer, L., Gillman, T., Harley, A., Philiips, R., Mashiqa, A., Morris, T., Young, T., Hannes, K. (2022, Aug). Adherence (un) Exposed Art exhibition, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium, 20-22 June 2023.

Hendricks L, et al. (2022, Oct). More than a pill – Collaborative community research documentary. View on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJVrhuNDuO0

Hendricks L., Abrahams, L., Mottie, B., van Wyk, J., Julies, R., Dollie, R., Dollie, R., De Beer, L., Gillman, T., Harley, A., Philiips, R., Mashiqa, A., Morris, T., Young, T. (2022, Aug). More than a pill. Community exhibition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, 26 August 2022.

Hendricks L. - IZIKO Museum Co-Curator (2021, April). Enduring COVID-19 South Africa, Online exhibition: Iziko Museum. View: https://enduringcovid-19.org.za/

Community-linked and service-learning contexts

I have been involved in community-linked and service-learning contexts, extending my service beyond the academic setting. This includes invitations as a speaker at various forums, such as on community radio, television, and in person at schools, community organisations, youth meetings, and on global forums, where I've shared insights from my life experiences, research, or teaching experiences.

My consultancy work for community organizations has allowed me to apply my academic expertise to real-world challenges, fostering a two-way exchange of knowledge and skills. Advocacy has been another crucial aspect of my service, where I have championed causes related to public health, environmental sustainability, and social justice. During COVID I started the Brackenfell-Kraaifontein Community Action Network which grew into a group of 125 volunteers serving over 500 000 meals from thirty-two community kitchens in people's homes to the community over the 2-year lockdown. Within this service, I collaborated with other stakeholders to raise funds, build networks, map deliveries, and manage processes, to increase the efficacy of the operation which included the delivery of a heavy truck of vegetables weekly donated by farmers. Subsequently, I collaborated with community workers and academics to apply and was awarded social impact funding to implement a debriefing intervention for the volunteers across the 52 CAN groups in Cape Town.

Furthermore, my leadership and management skills have been recognized and awarded, reflecting the impact of my contributions. In 2023 I was awarded the Springer Nature Inclusive Health Research Award, which is an award that is applied for through community reference letters sent directly to the funder. The Stellenbosch University Future Professors Programme (SUNRise) and awards from professional societies underscore the value of my service to the academic and wider community.

To enhance health communication between doctors and patients through innovative approaches, my collaborators and I were awarded the prestigious grant Bill and Melinda Gates – Medical Research Council (SAMRC) on Grand Challenges for AI in 2024. This grant has been a cornerstone in my efforts to leverage artificial intelligence to bridge the communication gaps in healthcare settings, facilitating better understanding and cooperation between healthcare providers and patients. It underscores the potential of AI to transform healthcare delivery and patient engagement, emphasizing the importance of technology in advancing public health. For 2024, I have also successfully been awarded two research-funded fellowships from Gilead Public Health and Microsoft Society and AI.

Currently, I am supporting colleagues in their grant submissions, two to the Wellcome Trust and one to the National Health Institute (NHI). These efforts are geared towards securing funding for projects that promise to make significant contributions to our understanding and management of climate change and health issues. By assisting in these submissions, I aim to foster a collaborative research environment and contribute to projects that have the potential to shape health policies, improve patient care, and advance our collective efforts in public health research. My involvement in these initiatives reflects my commitment to supporting impactful research and highlights the collaborative spirit that is essential for advancing the frontiers of health sciences.