Millie Marriott Webb presented research on the human and environmental impacts of single-use medical plastics at the student-led SoMA 2026 Medical Anthropology and the Technocene conference.

A screening of Tom K Kemp's film 'Crisis Acres' brought together researchers, healthcare professionals, and participants to explore how creative simulations can be used to examine healthcare systems, crisis response, and institutional decision-making. The event included a discussion with Kemp on the role of megagames and speculative methods in understanding complex organisations such as the NHS.

At our Edinburgh workshop, researchers turned frustrations with single-use plastics into satirical adverts, using humour and art to expose hidden harms and greenwashing in healthcare.

How do we ethically research medical plastic waste in hospitals, waste sites, and communities while respecting privacy, avoiding harm, and fostering collaborative, non-exploitative relationships?