We all know sun protection is important, but how well do we really understand the damage the sun can do?
This is the question behind SunView, a collaboration between Swansea University researchers and NHS professionals from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. The project uses a UV camera to give people a snapshot of how the sun affects their skin, and what they can do to protect it.
Showing the impact of sunscreen
As part of a response to the rising number of skin cancer cases across the UK, Dr Julie Peconi and her team have found a powerful way to help engage the public and raise awareness about the importance of sun protection. The UV camera is used to capture a photo of your face under ultraviolet light, both with and without sunscreen, visually revealing the protective power of sunscreen.
Based in Oriel Science, a free public science centre in the heart of Swansea, the camera is part of a hands-on research exhibit and outreach initiative designed to educate the community in an engaging and interactive way.
Visitors of all ages are invited to use the UV camera and complete a short quiz, helping researchers gather data on public awareness of sun safety. This information is then used to help shape future campaigns and research to improve sun safety education across Wales.
Staying sun safe at school with Sunproofed+
The Sunview exhibit builds upon an existing portfolio of research undertaken by the collaborative team, including Sunproofed, a scoping study of sun safety policies in primary schools across Wales. As a follow on from Sunproofed, the Team secured funding for impact and dissemination, working directly with schools and policymakers to raise the profile of sun safety.
Through Sunproofed+, they delivered a sun safety roadshow to approximately 400 key stage 2 pupils (years 3-6) across four Swansea schools in areas of deprivation. The sessions raised awareness of the dangers of sun exposure and promoted sun safe behaviours, with encouraging results of the positive impact on the pupils’ understanding.
As part of their efforts to promote sun safety within the school curriculum, the team launched ‘Sun Squads’, a peer-led initiative where groups of pupils are trained to educate their classmates about sun protection.
Beyond their work with local schools, the project has actively engaged with the wider community. The team presented at the 2024 Swansea Half Marathon, engaging with over 4,500 runners, and were featured in the race’s pre-event guide. They also exhibited at the 2024 Swansea Science Festival which attracted almost 5000 visitors across a weekend.
Their work continues to attract significant media attention, with recent coverage including an interview on BBC Radio Cymru and a television segment for Newyddion Ni, a children’s news program on S4C.
What’s next?
Now, Dr. Julie Peconi and her team are setting their sights on achieving national impact. Their civic mission work has been formally recognised by Swansea University and selected as a RWIF case study submitted to Medr, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research. This prestigious platform supports their ambition to elevate sun safety to the same level of public health priority as nutrition and physical activity.
From classrooms to city streets, SunView is reshaping the way we think about sun protection; helping people make informed choices that could save lives.
