The Emergency Smile research project is a pioneering initiative launched by RED NOSES in collaboration with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab and the World Health Organisation (WHO) regional office for Europe, with funding by the Fondation Alta Mane.
Taking place in Lesvos, Greece, from 2025 to 2027, the project seeks to assess the emotional and psychological impact of healthcare clowning interventions on unaccompanied minors and aid workers supporting forced migrants.
Greece, particularly the Aegean Islands, remains a major entry point for forced migrants into Europe, with Lesvos experiencing a surge in refugee arrivals in 2024.
Many refugees, especially children, face severe trauma and significant mental health challenges, with studies showing that up to 87% experience anxiety, depression and related symptoms.
This underscores the urgent need for interventions that address their mental and physical wellbeing and help build resilience.
At the same time, aid workers in these high-pressure environments face immense stress and burnout, and need enhanced psychosocial support.
Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, this project aims to provide valuable insights into how humour and playfulness can improve wellbeing in crisis settings.It fills a significant gap in the literature on the impact of artistic interventions, including healthcare clowning in humanitarian contexts.
This research builds on RED NOSES' Emergency Smile programme, which has brought specially trained healthcare clowns to crisis zones since 2013 to promote emotional wellbeing, social inclusion and psychosocial support in collaboration with humanitarian organisations.
Through interactive artistic formats, clowns engage migrant children and unaccompanied minors in parades filled with music and playful props, participatory clown shows, featuring magic and storytelling, and the multi-day Circus Smile workshop, where children learn circus skills before performing for aid workers and families.
Additionally, the programme includes the Humour Relief Workshop for aid workers, medical staff and volunteers, which aims to strengthen emotional connection, enhance social interactions and reduce stress.
The new research project will evaluate the effectiveness of the clowns’ artistic intervention on the wellbeing and social connectedness of unaccompanied minors.
It will also explore how the humour relief workshop, targeted at aid workers, helps reduce stress, strengthen team cohesion and enhance coping mechanisms in high-pressure environments.
Dr Eliala Alice Salvadori, who holds a PhD in developmental psychopathology and a master’s degree in child development from the University of Amsterdam, will lead the research.
As a postdoctoral researcher engaged with RED NOSES, she will collaborate with experts from universities across Europe and the United States, including the vast network of researchers connected with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, which was established in collaboration with the WHO Europe, the Steinhardt School at New York University (NYU Steinhardt), Community Jameel and CULTURUNNERS.
Nisha Sajnani, founding co-director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab and associate professor and director of the NYU Steinhardt graduate programme in drama therapy, said: "Humour and play are not frivolous in crisis—they are lifelines.
"This research marks a vital step in understanding how artistic interventions like healthcare clowning can support emotional resilience and restore a sense of humanity and connection for both displaced children and those who care for them."
The Emergency Smile research project aims to shed light on the importance of artistic interventions with people involved in forced migration.
RED NOSES International’s commitment to bringing joy to those in crisis highlights the importance of integrating artistic approaches into aid efforts, ensuring that both displaced children and those supporting them can experience moments of connection, relief and hope despite their challenging circumstances.
Findings from the study will contribute to policy recommendations for local and international organisations, guiding more effective psychosocial support strategies for displaced communities.