We’ve got to keep meeting like this: Public Health Conversations.
We’ve got to keep meeting like this: Public Health Conversations
The name for SPH’s Signature Programs has changed, but the purpose is the same: bringing together leaders from every area of public health.
Since they debuted in 2015, the Signature Programs at SPH have become a cornerstone of the school’s commitment to shaping and advancing public health conversations locally, nationally, and globally.
To more accurately reflect the growing role and influence of these events both within and outside of the school, in fall 2020 SPH renamed the programming Public Health Conversations.
“These programs have become a staple for the school community and an opportunity for us to convene teachers, practitioners, policymakers, the media, and more to hold conversations about issues of consequence,” says Meredith Brown, assistant director of strategic initiatives in the Office of the Dean. Brown has played a chief role in developing and executing the suite of dean’s seminars, public health fora, diversity & inclusion seminars, symposia, and “Think. Teach. Do.” alumni receptions.
“I’m very proud of our team’s ability to respond quickly to community needs.”
Meredith Brown, assistant director of strategic initiatives
“If there is anything that has changed over the years, it’s that we receive much more input about events from faculty, staff, and students,” Brown says. “This community is the most valuable aspect of the program.”
From a 400 Years of Inequality symposium to seminars on homelessness, voting, racial profiling, gun violence, and teaching public health, the dean’s office has hosted public health conversations with internal and external partners, including Development & Alumni Relations, Diversity & Inclusion, the Activist Lab, the School of Social Work, the BU Initiative on Cities, and WBUR.
Virtual engagement through live-streaming and live-tweeting the programs has increased steadily over the past two years, making seamless the temporary transition to an all-online format due to COVID-19 restrictions in the spring semester’s second half.
“I’m very proud of our team’s ability to respond quickly to community needs,” Brown says.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked hard to keep our community socially connected, despite physical distancing.
“It’s great that we bring experts to campus and students are able to connect with them in a meaningful way that advances their careers,” she says, noting that the most popular aspect of Public Health Conversations is the student lunches, where students—some of whom even secure practicum opportunities as a result—meet with featured speakers for a more informal and intimate conversation before the program.
“Speakers always tell me that their favorite part of the program is meeting our students—that’s such an important reflection of our school.”