Urban Environmental Health Lab
Amplifying innovative environmental health solutions and community engagement in our cities.
About the Lab
Our Urban Environmental Health Lab (UEHL) is a vibrant community action hub that unites environmental justice advocates, youth, and local artists to center culture and creativity in the fight against environmental health threats. Through our Health and Art Fellows program, we foster resilience by engaging communities in equitable pollution prevention and connecting them to culturally relevant tools and solutions. UEHL programs include virtual and in-person workshops, free soil and water testing, and interactive exhibits that highlight local environmental risks through art and storytelling. By integrating interdisciplinary and community-centered research with culture, science, and engagement, UEHL empowers people with the knowledge and resources needed to advance public health equity, environmental justice, and community safety.
UEHL Fellows
Our Urban Environmental Health Lab (UEHL) offers paid fellowships that highlight the importance of community leadership and creativity in improving our cities' health and well-being.
UEHL Community Fellows include local environmental justice leaders like community gardeners, asthma specialists, and policy advocates working to improve the city’s air, water, and soil.
UEHL Artist Fellows are NYC-based artists creating public art projects that connect neighborhoods with the work of our Environmental Health Fellows.
UEHL Youth Fellows design and lead creative community engagement projects with support from local partners and mentors.
Meet Our Latest UEHL Fellows
UEHL Impact Research
Sparking Environmental Justice Action: A Review of Literature on The Impact and Power of Arts and Culture
At the Human Impacts Institute (HII), we believe that arts and culture are essential for inspiring meaningful climate action. Our preliminary research focused on three key questions: What sparks environmental justice action? How does arts and culture influence this action? And how can we measure this impact?
We aimed to understand academic discussions and the perspectives of Environmental Justice organizations (EJOs) in New York City while identifying their needs in integrating arts and culture into their efforts.
Our UEHL impact research initial report, Sparking Environmental Justice Action, serves as a resource for all initiatives looking to leverage arts and culture to inspire bold climate action.
The report includes our research methodologies and limitations, presents key findings, and outlines next steps for translating this research into action.
Public Workshops
Our UEHL workshops focus on using art and creative communication to raise awareness about pollution, explore solutions, and inspire preventative action. Led by local environmental experts and artists, these workshops engage participants in interdisciplinary dialogue, collaborative art projects, and innovative storytelling. Reflecting the diversity of our urban communities, the workshops not only educate but also celebrate local voices, turning complex environmental challenges into creative opportunities for public engagement and collective action.
MEET OUR 2021 HEALTH FELLOWS
