Taking hands-on learning to the next level: A new model for field-based global health education

Princeton University’s Global Health Research and Teaching Program generates the scholarship fundamental to health improvements at the nexus of science, policy and social science, and educates students who will become leaders in these fields. Its defining elements are a cross-disciplinary approach, hands-on field research and a focus on the policy dimensions of global health.

The teaching program devotes significant resources to offering high-quality, fully funded, hands-on learning experiences for its students. They conduct independent research and internships in over 20 countries, based at research centers, NGOs, grassroots organizations, academic institutions, hospitals and clinics. Junior researchers mentor student projects, providing training in research and analysis methodology, and in the ethics of responsible global health research. These field experiences are life changing for many students and form the basis of their future pursuits.

Two unique aspects of the program are the focus on field partners’ working realities, and the provision of on-site advising by Princeton researchers. All hands-on learning positions are explicitly designed to ease rather than tax field partners’ human resource constraints; furthermore, student projects must address partners’ priorities - as opposed to externally driven research agendas. Because the management of undergraduate interns and researchers demands considerable time and attention, Princeton graduate students and postdoctoral fellows provide advance training to undergraduates, as well as in-person guidance in selected field sites.

With its model for partner-centered engagement combined with excellent academic and field support, Princeton’s global health program prepares students to address an increasingly complex slate of global health challenges.