Unseen Hands
The many experiences of living with a blood-borne virus
Unseen Hands is a partnership between the CVR, University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and Waverley Care which aims to explore the many different experiences of living with a blood-borne virus (BBV).
Through bringing fundamental virologists together with people living with a BBV we aim to encourage engagement, participation and sharing individual lived experience to connect with and inform research practice. In doing so, we hope to break down barriers and encourage communication to address and reduce stigma and discrimination.
This project continues to evolve but you can find out about our key programs of work below.
Our programmes
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Journey of a Blood Sample
What happens to the vital blood samples donated by people living with blood-borne viruses once they reach the CVR?
This was a question asked by the people living with a BBV who we work with on this project. These videos introduce each member of our scientific team as they tell the story of how they work with and/or study blood-borne viruses at the CVR.
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Puzzle Piece workshops & artwork
What role do we as individuals play in the fight against blood-borne viruses? How do we fit into the larger picture?
Each person is like a puzzle piece which makes up a larger picture of the fight against blood-borne viruses. Our workshops and resultant artworks help people explore the part they play, or their relationship with the virus they live and/or work with.
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Convening the sector
We bring together people living with & affected by BBVs from across Scotland, as well as supporting charities, researchers and funding bodies. Through this work we aim to help everyone work more closely together and overcome obstacles.
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International knowledge exchange
Blood-borne viruses affect people all across the Globe, so it is important for us to share what we know and listen in return.
We are building links with researchers and non-governmental organisations worldwide to share learning.
The Unseen Hands Team
If their name is underlined, click the profile image to learn more about them!
John McLauchlan
Co-founder & Professor of Viral Hepatitis and one of the founders of “HCV Research UK”.
Sarah McDonald
Biobank manager at the CVR who helped set up “HCV Research UK” biobank.
Emma Thomson
Clinical Professor of infectious diseases working on emerging viruses in the UK and Uganda.
Joe Grove
Senior Lecturer interested in how viruses such as Hepatitis C, enter cells.
Ana Da Silva Filipe
Head of CVR Genomics studying the genetic material of various viruses.
Fynn Elkington
Managing Director of FoSho studios - supporting on content creation.
Alice Haskell
Lead artist and creative facilitator
Adam Fletcher
Future Leader Fellow aiming to understand how our cells fight viruses.
Faye Watson
Co-founder &
Public Engagement with Research Manager, Uni of Edinburgh
Patawee Asamaphan
Postdoctoral researcher working to understand how the immune system fights Hepatitis C virus. ” biobank.
Tia Salter
PhD student who spent 3 months at the CVR as Engagement & Communications Intern.
Marko Noerenberg
Postdoctoral researcher interested in how viruses can take over a whole organism.
Lois Mason
Communications & Engagement Coordinator at the CVR.
Rajiv Shah
Infectious diseases and general medicine registrar, also researching Hepatitis C diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa.
How did we get here?
