In this blog series, we will be featuring our award winners and highly commended recipients from the Faculty’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to PPIE’ awards. The awards showcase inspirational and outstanding commitment to PPIE that has made a positive difference to our community and highlights the amazing events, activities, people and groups from across the Faculty.    

Our latest blog in this series features Tree of Life, a creative project and public engagement installation led by a team of academics in the Faculty. This initiative was highly commended in the Inclusive PPIE Category at the 2025 PPIE Awards. 

Tree of Life filming process.

Tree of Life: How Exploring Diversity Can Create Unity was a public installation displayed in the South Asia Gallery at the Manchester Museum from February to May in 2025. Coinciding with World Cancer Day (4 February), the installation centred on a short film co-produced by a multidisciplinary research team at the University in collaboration with Fatima Women’s Association.  

The film explored the lived experiences of South Asian women and addressed disparities in breast cancer screening uptake within these communities. 

Using the ‘Tree of Life’ narrative therapy approach, the team fostered culturally sensitive spaces where women from Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Indian heritage in Oldham could share their life stories. These conversations touched on themes of origin, adaptation, family and health, revealing powerful stories of resilience and unity across diverse backgrounds. 

The project’s commitment to inclusivity was evident throughout the creative process: 

• Community-led decisions: Participants influenced choices around filming locations and cultural elements such as food, colours and music. 

• Familiar settings: A temporary studio was set up within a trusted community space to ensure comfort and authenticity. 

• Unscripted storytelling: Gentle prompts were used rather than formal scripts, allowing genuine voices to shine through. 

• Innovative engagement: Presenting health messages through film in a civic cultural space is rarely seen and sparked meaningfuldialogue. 

• Celebrating contributions: At the installation’s launch event, 22 women were honoured with certificates and gifts. 

Project lead, Suzanne Johnson (far right), together with contributors from Fatima’s Women’s Association. (Photo credit: Wilkinson Photography.)

This installation was more than an artistic endeavour. It demonstrated how creative media can amplify research and foster understanding between cultures. By prioritising early engagement and co-production, the project built lasting relationships and created a resource that continues to spark conversations about health, resilience and inclusivity.  

Additional information: 

• Tree of Life Team: Tree of Life: Meet the Research Team 
• Blog from Dr Binish Khatoon, Tree of Life team member: Inclusive research is not only about recruitment 
• Article from Prevent Breast Cancer: Showcasing The Tree of Life: How exploring diversity can create unity 

To find out more about PPIE: watch our short film, sign up to the monthly Public Engagement Digest, visit the PPIE blog, or contact srbmh@manchester.ac.uk.       

 To read more about other PPIE Award winners visit here. 

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