{"id":4921,"date":"2026-02-25T15:38:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/?p=4921"},"modified":"2026-02-25T15:38:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:38:47","slug":"ppie-award-highly-commended-2025-tree-of-life-how-exploring-diversity-can-create-unity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/2026\/02\/25\/ppie-award-highly-commended-2025-tree-of-life-how-exploring-diversity-can-create-unity\/","title":{"rendered":"PPIE Award Highly Commended 2025: Tree of Life \u2013 How Exploring Diversity Can Create Unity"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In this blog series, we will be featuring our award winners and highly commended recipients from the\u00a0Faculty\u2019s\u00a0\u2018<\/span><\/i>Outstanding Contribution to PPIE<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019 awards. The awards\u00a0showcase\u00a0inspirational and outstanding commitment to PPIE that has made a positive difference to our community and highlights the amazing events, activities,\u00a0people\u00a0and groups from across the\u00a0Faculty.<\/span><\/i>\u202f\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our latest blog in this series features Tree of Life,\u00a0a creative project and public engagement installation led by a team of academics in the\u00a0Faculty. This initiative\u00a0was highly commended in the Inclusive PPIE\u00a0Category at the 2025 PPIE Awards.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tree of Life filming process.<\/p><\/div>\n

Tree of Life: How Exploring Diversity Can Create Unity<\/span><\/b>\u00a0was a public installation\u00a0displayed in the\u00a0<\/span>South Asia Gallery at the Manchester Museum<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>from February to May in 2025.\u00a0Coinciding with\u00a0<\/span>World Cancer Day<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(4 February), the installation centred on a short film co-produced by a multidisciplinary research team at the University in collaboration with\u00a0<\/span>Fatima Women\u2019s Association<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The film explored the lived experiences of South Asian women and addressed disparities in breast cancer screening\u00a0uptake within these communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Using the \u2018Tree of Life\u2019 narrative therapy approach, the team fostered culturally sensitive spaces where women from Pakistani,\u00a0Bangladeshi\u00a0and Indian heritage in Oldham could share their life stories. These conversations touched on themes of origin, adaptation,\u00a0family\u00a0and health, revealing powerful stories of resilience and unity across diverse backgrounds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The project\u2019s commitment to inclusivity was\u00a0evident\u00a0throughout the creative process:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n