Messaging the Value of Daylight

DLA Annual Conference 2024
Parallel session I

Friday, 31 May 2024
from 10:00 to 11:30

Lead
Dr Oliver Stefani, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences (HSLU), Switzerland
Mr Jan Denneman, Good Light Group, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Description
There is growing evidence that regular daylight exposure is central to public health and a lack of daylight exposure can lead to disrupted biological rhythms, sleep and mood disorders, inadequate vitamin D levels and myopia. Nevertheless, while many people may count their daily steps and their calorie intake, they are often not aware of the many benefits of daylight exposure. On the contrary, they are only aware of the dangers of too much sunlight and therefore tend to avoid it.

The Daylight Ambassadors have been organized as a subgroup of the Daylight Academy to help DLA members spread the word about the benefits of daylight How can we do that? One approach is to develop a set of short but evidence-based statements, one-liners, about the benefits of daylight and how people can best take advantage of these benefits.

In this workshop, we propose to identify a handful of key phrases that will resonate with various demographic groups (for example decision makers, public at large). First, we would like to identify critical questions about daylight access that are likely to arise. The goal will be to identify common public concerns and link those with consistent messaging about the benefits of daylight that can be easily backed up with scientific evidence. For example, “Windows create distractions in classrooms.” Response: “Studies show that children actually learn better in classrooms with a view of the outdoors.”

The participants in this hands-on workshop are asked to come prepared with one (or more) common concerns about daylight applications from their professional experience, and suggest succinct messages in in response.

Objectives

  • Organise and consolidate the concerns and messages
  • Select and refine messages to have the greatest impact
  • Discuss how these messages might best be deployed
  • Identify next steps (for example creating short video messages, articles, guides)