We’re pleased to announce that the Menarche Menstruation Menopause and Mental Health (4M) consortium will be running a Summer School on Menstrual Health Research Across the Life Course from the 28th June to 2nd July 2027.

Who’s it for?

This 5-day residential course is designed for anyone who wants to better understand menstrual health research, including:

• Researchers at any career stage
• Healthcare professionals
• Policy makers
• Patients and individuals
• Charities and advocates

What’s the aim?

The aim is to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to understand and conduct research into menstrual health across the reproductive life course. We’ll explore how to understand the methods, findings, implications, advances, and opportunities.

Where and when is it?

The course will be held at the University of Exeter Streatham Campus from the 28th June to 2nd July 2027. This is an in-person only course.

What topics will be covered?

Through a mixture of lectures, group work, and seminar discussions, we’ll cover topics including:

• Key topics in menstruation research:
  • Understanding menstrual health from a bio-psycho-social-cultural-environmental perspective;
  • Environment and sustainability;
  • Intersection of menstrual and mental health;
  • Life course and intersectional approaches
• Incorporating lived experience knowledge:
  • Co-production and PPIE;
  • Research priority setting
• Innovative methods:
  • Innovative data collection methods, including ecological momentary assessment using smartphones and wearable devices;
  • Genetic and molecular epidemiological approaches;
  • Statistical modelling and machine learning for menstrual cycle research;
  • Qualitative methods including PhotoVoice for menstrual health
• Generating impact:
  • Translating research into practice;
  • Building a theory of change for menstrual health research;
  • Identifying partners and building relationships
• Collaboration and funding:
  • Working across disciplines and outside of your comfort zone;
  • Writing multi-disciplinary grant proposals

Who’s teaching it?

The course will be led by 4M director Professor Gemma Sharp, who has nearly 20 years of experience in women’s health research and has a strong track record of working across disciplines, attracting significant research funding, driving collaboration, and mentoring early career researchers.

Guest lectures from other high profile researchers and non-academics will be included throughout the course.

How much does it cost?

The 5 day course is £985, which includes:

• All teaching and materials;
• Access to slides;
• Lunch vouchers for every day;
• Two course evening dinners in Holland Hall on three nights;
• Optional organised walk/run/swim;
• The course social, with a special two course dinner on one of the nights

Attendees can also choose to add accommodation at Holland Hall from the 27th June (Sunday) to the 2nd July (Friday). This is charged at an additional £400 and includes bed and breakfast. Holland Hall is a short walk from the course venue.

How can I book?

Registration will open soon

How will this support 4M?

Fees will be used to cover the costs of running the Summer School. If we make any profit, this will be reinvested into the 4M consortium, enabling us to facilitate research at the intersection of menstrual and health. We currently receive no external funding, so we are hoping the Summer School will become a sustainable source of funding for our work.