[BERG] BERG talk this week / April 18th

Dear BERG folks, This week we have PhD candidate Jade Hooper giving her interesting talk entitled: Exploring Social and Locality Variations of Dog Bites in Scotland Using Administrative Data Sources [cid:image001.jpg@01D3D588.A2117D00] Abstract Rates of hospital admissions due to dog bite incidents have risen considerably over the last 10 years (HSCIC, 2015). Of particular concern is the finding that hospital admissions for dog bites are highest in the most deprived areas across England and Wales (HSCIC, 2014; 2015). However, there is a paucity of research which aims to explore why this may be or how this issue may be addressed. Whilst there is a public interest in these figures in Scotland, thus far there has been no rigorous empirical investigation into social inequalities in dog related injuries. Through an innovative and ambitious analysis of linked by-product data, the current study hopes to address this gap. The study will use a range of data sources to examine both individual and area-based characteristics which may help uncover some of the reasons why these patterns may exist, and how they can be addressed. Health data from dog bite incidents will be requested and linked with census records. Microchip data will also be requested in a bid to account for dog populations which in the past have not be considered when links with social disadvantage and dog bite injuries have been found. Through this analysis, the study aims to help inform policy for the reduction of dog bites and aid in effective identification and targeting of interventions for areas and individuals most at risk. This presentation will discuss some of the difficulties associated with the research area and specific challenges related to the project. The floor will then be opened to allow for more general discussion surrounding the subject area. Start time 5:30pm sharp - drinks and munchies provided. We hope to see you there! Paxton ______________________________ Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Division of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>