Definition of Terms

The content of my recommendations is guided by the principles of the following thinkers, theories and terms.

Professor Michael Marmot
Director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity

The social determinants of health; the significance of broader societal and economic factors that influence health outcomes.

Dr Bessel van der Kolk
Medical Director at The Trauma Research Foundation 

Trauma Informed Recovery; the intrinsic link between body and mind, the psycho-somatic effects of trauma and the use of this knowledge to inform practices and policies.

Dr Stephen Porges
Founding Director of the Kinsey Institute Traumatic Stress Research Consortium (KI-TSRC)

Polyvagal Theory; acknowledging the value of the autonomic nervous system's role in social behaviour, trauma response and emotional regulation.

I have produced a column titled ‘Building Collective Capacity for Solidarity and Healing Among Displaced People in Colombia’ for the (KI-TSRC), view it here.

Howard Zehr
Co-Director of the Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice; addressing collective harm through community engagement, reconciliation and active involvement in healing processes.

‘restorative practice’ 

In the context of this report, references to 'restorative practice' relate to the facilitation of relationship repair through dialogue, accountability and empathy and of co-regulation to restore social cohesion.

'communities affected by the intersectional impact of displacement, trauma, and barriers to psychosocial wellness’ 

Refers to migrant and refugee populations, survivors of traumatic experiences such as violence, loss and marginalisation, and those at risk of poor health due to myriad social determinants such as isolation, poverty and limited social protections.

Copyright © 2023 by Abi Nolan. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed in this report and its content are those of the author and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of the report.