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The Happy to Chat research team consists of several Brunel colleagues with spanning interdisciplinary expertise, ranging from Marketing communications and consumer behaviour, Gerontology, Public Health Economics, Public Engagement and Business Accounting.
Expert in Marketing, Communications and Consumer Behaviour
Dorothy started the idea of Happy to Chat. She developed the Happy to Chat packs and takes a lead improving the Happy to Chat intervention and promoting it as a societal movement. Dorothy says,
“Poppy flowers are for the Remembrance Day; Pink Ribbons are for breast cancer. My dream is that one day people will understand what Happy to Chat stands for, just like how we understand the poppy or the pink ribbon. If you see someone wearing it while out and about, you know you can have a chat with this person as, she/he is Happy to Chat.”
Expert in Gerontology, specialising in the studies of loneliness
As an expert on the studies of loneliness, Christina contributes to the development of the Happy to Chat, as a new intervention to help promote micro social connections in societies and communities. Christina also takes a lead in developing the Happy to Chat research, measuring the effectiveness of Happy to Chat in improving individual wearers’ well-being as well as the community's social health.
Public Engagement Expert, specialising in community building
Nancy is the champion of Happy to Chat. She helps the Happy to Chat team reach out and connect with other organisations, charities and community members who shares similar values in the Hillingdon area. Together, we make social connections easier.
Expert on building and promoting social trust
Ming-yao supports the data collection of Happy to Chat. She takes a lead in analysing and understanding people’s experience while trying on Happy to Chat. She also contributes to the promotion and implementation of Happy to Chat.
Expert in Business Networks
Robin, a business networks expert, advocates Happy to Chat adoption in businesses. By enhancing internal communications, supporting staff wellbeing, and fostering a positive CSR image, Happy to Chat facilitates teamwork, boosts morale, and strengthens brand reputation. Robin's insights illuminate its transformative potential within corporate environments.
Expert in Entrepreneurship
Kiran is passionate about connecting with people from all walks of life and listening with empathy. She values opportunities to make a difference to individuals and communities, whether through a simple chat or by drawing on her expertise in Appreciative Inquiry and Forum Theatre, inclusive approaches to creating positive change. Kiran enjoys working with others to grow welcoming spaces and pilot new ideas; her focus is simple: spark friendly chats, strengthen ties, and help people feel seen.
Public health economics expert
Subhash will help measure the effectiveness of Happy to Chat as a social intervention to improve public health in the communities. He will take a lead in answering important questions such as “What are the most appropriate outcome measures to evaluate the potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Happy to Chat?”
Happy to Chat Designer
Qing is the designer for Happy to Chat. Qing works closely with Dorothy and helps design all the communication materials, including badges, helpline cards, posters and everything else!
Happy to Chat Intern 2024
Alwin is doing an internship at Happy to Chat. He helps promote our Happy to Chat events on social media and records the feedback that we received from all participants
Happy to Chat Intern 2024
Sajedah is a key event organiser. She promotes and supports the Happy to Chat events. Sajedah ensures everyone fees welcomed when attending the Happy to Chat events.
Happy to Chat Intern 2023
Laylah helps conduct interviews with our Happy to Chat participants and analyse the qualitative data that we collected during interviews.
Digital Health and Medical Analytics Expert
Yichuan tracks the digital footprint of Happy to Chat and contributes to measuring the effectiveness of Happy to Chat to individuals and to communities. He is particular interested in Social media & digital marketing, Big data analytics & AI, Digital health and its business value, Digitalisation enabled business transformation and Sharing economy.
Research Data and Web Designer For Happy to Chat
Gabriel supports Happy to Chat with website updates, digital design, poster editing, and research-related data preparation. He also helps organise interview and survey data and will be leading on analysing the quantitative data, contributing to the team’s digital content and research activities.
Happy To Chat Intern
Pranay supports Happy to Chat by conducting video interviews with participants and assisting with social media activities. He helps capture participant experiences, support engagement, and contribute to the organisation’s digital outreach efforts.
Happy to Chat Research Assistant
Lana supports research for the Happy to Chat initiative, helping with stakeholder engagement, interviews, questionnaire design, data collection and analysis to evaluate its impact on loneliness, wellbeing, and social connection.
Happy To Chat Intern
Akshar Vekaria is a second-year Brunel University student supporting Happy to Chat events in the community, inventory management, and outreach. He is passionate about promoting the benefits of human interaction.
