Translating Research for Public Health Policy and Practice

Catalog description

This course aims to build competencies in applying epidemiologic research concepts and evidence to “real-world” policy and practice efforts in population and environmental health. The course will delve into the gaps that often exists between academic health research and the translation to policy and practice and will prepare students to begin overcoming these divides. Throughout the course, graduate students will work through practical challenges such as weighing scientific rigor and utility when working with diverse types of data and partners, balancing generation of findings for policy action versus for generalizable knowledge, translating findings for non-scientific audiences, and maintaining relationships with multiple stakeholders when conducting and disseminating research. Students will also work to build skills for effectively communicating and collaborating with non-research partners and audiences. The course will involve a mix of readings, lectures, guest speakers, discussions and hands-on assignments using data from public sources, and utilize case examples based on pressing public health issues. The overall objective is for students to gain perspective and pragmatic skills in applying their research and training beyond academia towards achieving impactful population and environmental health change. This course will rely heavily on participation and emphasize critical reading, writing and thinking, and informed debate with respect for a range of opinions. Themes of this course are relevant across a range of disciplines, including population health, social and environmental epidemiology, and public health policy.