ALT Image shows the front of Lancaster Castle in spring.

ALT Image shows a view of Lancaster at sunset.

ALT Image shows day 1 of the programme, which can be read in full as a PDF at https://ic4ch.wordpress.com/activities/ Day 1: Thursday 11th of September 2025 09.30 - 10.15 Registration 10.15 - 10.30 Symposium Opening Address 10.30 - 12.00 Panel 1: Chronic and long-term health 12.00 - 13.00 Lunch 13.00 - 14.30 Panel 2: Infectious diseases and pandemics How will we work together? Communication and Caring in the Time of Pandemics 14.30 - 15.00 Break 15.00 – 16.30 Panel 3: Vaccinations 16.30 – 17.00 Roundtable discussion

ALT Image shows day 2 of the programme, which can be read in full as a PDF at https://ic4ch.wordpress.com/activities/ Day 2: Friday 12th of September 2025 09.30 – 11.00 Panel 4: Interactions in healthcare settings 11.00 – 11.30 Break 11.30 – 12.30 Panel 4 (Continued): Interactions in healthcare settings 12.30 – 13.30 Lunch 13.30 – 15.00 Panel 5: Interactions in healthcare settings and end of life 15.30 – 16.00 Roundtable discussion 16.00 – 16.20 Event Close

ALT 2025 Symposium of the International Consortium for Communication in Health Care (IC4CH) Themes: Interactions in clinical settings | Pandemics | Chronic and long-term conditions | End-of-life care. Key details Dates: 11-12 September 2025 Location: Lancaster University, Bailrigg Campus, LA1 4YW, United Kingdom IC4CH website: https://ic4ch.wordpress.com/ Contact: [email protected] About: Researchers, health professionals, advocates and other stakeholders will discuss contemporary research on communication in healthcare through speaker presentations and reflective panels. Confirmed speakers include: • Prof. Diana Slade (Australian National University) • Prof. Elena Semino and Dr Gavin Brookes (Lancaster University, UK) • Dr Elizabeth A. Rider (Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, USA) • Dr Emma Brooks and Dr Zsófia Demjén (UCL, UK) • Prof. Jennifer Watermeyer (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa) • Dr Olga Zayts (University of Hong Kong)

ALT Inaugural Lecture of Professor Jennifer Watermeyer (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa), titled: 'Putting care back into healthcare: The central role of communication' Abstract: Communication is at the heart of healthcare, directly influencing patient outcomes and healthcare systems. Despite its crucial role in ensuring quality care, it is often overlooked. In this lecture, I will draw on twenty years of research in diverse South African healthcare settings to highlight the central role communication plays in healthcare and the importance of analysing communication practices and listening to the voices of patients and healthcare providers. By understanding communication barriers, we can improve access to care and the quality of care. Additionally, I will offer some considerations for training and argue for greater support for communication practices within healthcare systems.

ALT Abstract: Graduates transitioning from university to the workplace have historically been considered one of the vulnerable demographic groups in the workforce, as they face many adjustments and changes. COVID-19 exacerbated many of the challenges for graduates. This webinar brings together academics, workplace practitioners and graduates to discuss the results of a large-scale project that focused on the educational, social and mental health impacts of the pandemic on graduates. Speakers will discuss topics related to essential skills, employers’ expectations, graduates’ preparedness, and how their mental health could be supported during the transition period. Implications for post-COVID workplaces will also be considered.