News and Activities
November 2025 No-code modelling workshop, Bangkok, Thailand
Part of the project aims to build capacity in modelling in the studied regions. Wirichada Pan-ngum, co-lead on project CONTAIN, organised a 2 day workshop at the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand between 12 - 13 November 2025.
More than 30 participants were joining the workshop from academic institutions and healthcare sectors. What made this workshop particularly significant is that mathematical modelling is still a relatively new and developing field in the region. Working together with the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), no-code platform was introduced to the participants who may have little background in coding. This innovative learning course accelerated the skills to learn modelling concepts and applying them to real questions without too much concern on traditional programming part. It serves as an enrichment to our multidisciplinary research environment to solve health issues in limited resource settings.
July 2025 International workshop, University of Warwick, UK
We were delighted to welcome international colleagues to Warwick, including Professor Eliasu Mumuni (University for Development Studies, Ghana), Professor John Kofi Odoom (University of Ghana), and Dr. Juthatip Wiwattanapantuwong (Chulalongkorn University), whose contributions were central to the success of the meeting.
This two day international hybrid meeting was part of the ongoing collaborative work within the CONTAIN project. The event brought together researchers from the UK, Ghana, and Thailand (11 in person and 2 online) to advance interdisciplinary discussions around epidemic risk modelling, behavioural insights, and spatial analysis relating to market settings.
The meeting featured presentations on innovative modelling approaches to outbreak risk and spatial dynamics. Sessions also focused on practical planning for upcoming fieldwork, including ethical considerations, data collection strategies, and the development of participatory drama-based methods. The team worked collaboratively to refine tools and protocols that will support the next phase of research across multiple international sites.
April 2025 Collaboration visit to Bangkok, Thailand
Robin Goodwin, Elise Smith, and Katy Stokes from the University of Warwick recently completed a successful visit to Bangkok, Thailand, as part of the CONTAIN project.
During their stay, the CONTAIN team held a series of insightful meetings with project partners Juthatip Wiwattanapantuwong, Arunya Tuicomepee, Dangkamon Na-pombejra, and Wirichaada Pan-ngumm, along with San - Prakash Thadani from Blue Eagle Eye. Bringing together expertise from drama, psychology, history, virology, and modelling, the visit provided an invaluable opportunity for collaborative, interdisciplinary discussions that strengthened partnerships and moved the project forward.
In addition to these productive discussions, the team visited local wet markets, gaining a richer understanding of the community dynamics, cultural context, and everyday practices relevant to the project’s goals. These collaborative engagements have further strengthened the foundations of the CONTAIN partnership.
We extend our sincere thanks to our generous hosts for their warm welcome!