{"id":302,"date":"2026-05-08T08:57:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T08:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/femaleheatlaboratory.wp.worc.ac.uk\/?p=302"},"modified":"2026-05-08T08:57:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T08:57:10","slug":"supporting-worcester-in-a-warming-world-international-student-collaboration-on-extreme-heat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/femaleheatlaboratory.wp.worc.ac.uk\/index.php\/2026\/05\/08\/supporting-worcester-in-a-warming-world-international-student-collaboration-on-extreme-heat\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting Worcester in a Warming World: International Student Collaboration on Extreme Heat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Last week marked the successful conclusion of an inspiring international student collaboration focused on one of the most pressing public health challenges facing the UK: extreme heat events. As part of the University of Worcester\u2019s long\u2011standing partnership with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in the United States, four WPI undergraduate students visited Worcester to complete an Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) exploring how local communities understand and manage the health impacts of rising temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hosted by Dr Jessica Mee (UKRI Future Leaders Fellow) and supported by the Female Heat Lab, the project\u2014Supporting the Worcester Community in Mitigating the Effects of Extreme Heat Events<\/em>\u2014brought together academic research, community engagement, and applied public health insights. The student team, Gavin Hamburg, Tucker Johnson, Adam Jusczak, and Nicolas Kishchenko, worked closely with the Worcester Community Trust and University of Worcester colleagues to investigate how extreme heat is perceived, experienced, and addressed across the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Heat Risk in Worcester<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The project set out to establish a baseline understanding of how Worcester residents perceive both the physical and mental health risks associated with extreme heat. While heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity across the UK, public awareness of their impacts\u2014and how to mitigate them\u2014remains uneven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a mixed\u2011methods approach, the students conducted community surveys, stakeholder interviews, and archival research. Their findings revealed a striking disconnect: while nearly half of surveyed residents initially believed they were unaffected by heatwaves, many later reported disrupted sleep, fatigue, and heat\u2011related symptoms when prompted with specific examples. Awareness of available community resources was also low, with fewer than 10% of respondents able to identify local heat\u2011related support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crucially, the research highlighted that heat affects people in more ways than they realise, and that much existing guidance\u2014while extensive\u2014is often hard to find or access. These insights formed the basis for a set of practical, evidence\u2011informed recommendations designed to support community education and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical Recommendations with Community Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Working alongside project sponsors, the students developed clear recommendations for Worcester City Council, the University of Worcester, and third\u2011sector partners. These included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n