“Beyond the Biological Basics of Disease: The Social and Economic Causation of Illness” in Haiti

February 2nd, 2017 in Outside Announcements

EqualHealth would like to invite you to apply for the fifth annual Social Medicine Course, “Beyond the Biological Basics of Disease: The Social and Economic Causation of Illness” in Haiti. This annual three-week course, which will be held from July 9- 29, 2017 in Haiti’s Central Plateau, is designed for health professional students of all levels and links clinical medicine with social medicine teaching. 

The course merges a number of unique pedagogical approaches including field visits, classroom- based presentations and discussions, group reflections, student presentations, films, and patient interaction. These approaches are utilized to create an innovative, interactive learning environment in which students participate as both learners and teachers. We hope to advance the entire class’ understanding of the interactions between the biology of disease and the social, cultural, economic, political, and historical factors that influence illness presentation and social experience.

Eligibility criteria for applicants:

-Graduate-level health profession students of any year (undergraduates considered on a case by case basis)

-Working proficiency in French

-Availability for the entire length of the course (July 9-29, 2017)

This course is offered by EqualHealth (www.equalhealth.org) in collaboration with SocMed (www.socmedglobal.org).

More information about the course and how to apply may be found at equalhealth.org/socialmedicine. Please reach out to Casey at cfox@equalhealth.org with any questions or concerns. 

Global Health Catalyst Summit April 28-30

February 2nd, 2017 in Outside BU Events

This event is organized by African Renaissance Ambassador Corp, Dana Faber, Harvard Medical School, and Brigham and Women's hospitals. Speakers from allover Africa and the US (e.g. WHO and SEED) come to talk about their research and projects. The conference is open for anyone whose interested in global health, non-communicable diseases, and technology.

For more information go to: www.globalhealthcatalystevents.org

Global Health Fellows Program II Pharmacy Intern

February 2nd, 2017 in Practicums/Internships

Applications Now Being Accepted for 2017 Pardee Center Graduate Summer Fellows Program

February 2nd, 2017 in Outside Announcements

Application deadline: Monday, March 13, 2017
Download application instructions

Applications are now being accepted for the 2017 Pardee Center Graduate Summer Fellows Program, which offers graduate students from across Boston University an opportunity for intensive interdisciplinary research and writing on topics aligned with the broad research interests of BU’s Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future.

The Pardee Center conducts interdisciplinary, policy relevant and future-oriented research that can contribute to long-term improvements in the human condition. The Center is especially interested in rigorous analysis relating to longer-range human development. We especially encourage proposals for research that has the potential to identify actions that can be taken today to make our collective global tomorrow better.

The 10-week fellowship (May 30 – August 4, 2017) includes a financial stipend of $6,000, structured interaction with Pardee Center affiliated faculty and research fellows, and a collegial atmosphere that fosters peer support and intellectual growth. Summer Fellows occupy workspace provided at the Pardee House while they conduct independent research, and produce a substantive research paper that may be considered for publication by the Pardee Center. Fellows are expected to work at the Pardee House each Monday through Friday for the duration of the Fellowship and to participate fully in Pardee Center activities and all Summer Fellows’ events.

The Graduate Summer Fellowships are open to all Boston University graduate students. First-year master’s and early to mid-stage doctoral students, including ABDs, are especially encouraged to apply. (Students completing degrees in May 2017 are not eligible.) Research proposals that link positively to the student’s own and/or BU faculty’s ongoing research are especially desirable.

Proposals for any research topic related to the Pardee Center’s longer-range global human development mandate will be considered, especially including (but not limited to) those relating to (a) sustainability issues related to rapid urbanization, especially in developing countries, (b) issues related to large-scale global environmental change, (c) a “systems perspective” of development programs, incorporating issues related to sociology, ecology, and economics, and (d) improved understanding of how academic knowledge connects to policy decision-making at various scales (i.e. local to global). Successful proposals will clearly convey how the research is related to improving quality of life; clearly articulate how the research is relevant to the longer-range future; and explain why and how it can be completed in a 10-week period. Applications are especially encouraged from fields such as global public health, engineering, the humanities, and natural sciences.

The deadline for applications is close of business on Monday, March 13 and candidates will be notified of the outcomes in mid-to-late April. Detailed application instructions are available here.

Questions regarding the Summer Fellowship Program may be directed to gsfellow@bu.edu.

IDinsight – Global Graduate Student Summer Internship (paid)

February 2nd, 2017 in Practicums/Internships

IDinsight 

Locations:
Lusaka, Zambia
Nairobi, Kenya
Vijayawada AP, India
Delhi, India 

We seek leaders who are passionate about making a difference, possess exceptional analytical skills, and thrive in an entrepreneurial, developing country setting. The ideal intern would be interested in joining IDinsight in a full-time role in the future and would take advantage of the internship to identify a potential long-term role in the organization. Successful interns are highly likely to be considered for roles on IDinsight’s leadership team upon graduation.

To maximize learning for the intern and contribution to IDinsight, the internship will be tailored to the specific interests and skills of the intern rather than committed to certain projects at this time. The internship will likely involve a semi-autonomous project within a larger client engagement, which the intern will be responsible for leading with minimal to moderate support from supervisors. Potential projects will be discussed during the interview process.

The intern will be based in one of IDinsight’s offices in India or sub-Saharan Africa for a period of 8-10 weeks. The exact project assigned to the intern will be the result of conversations between the intern and his/her IDinsight supervisor to ensure that it is carefully designed to meet the interests and skills of the intern and the need of the organization. Some examples of the types of projects may include (but are certainly not limited to) the following:  

• Develop IDinsight’s evaluation plan for an agricultural impact evaluation.  
• Create data collection tools for a water, sanitation, and health survey.  
• Analyze endline data for a quasi-experimental education study. 
• Present findings from an impact evaluation to IDinsight government clients.

The intern will receive significant support and mentorship from IDinsight leadership.

Application deadline: Feb 20, 2017

APPLY HERE: https://busph.joinhandshake.com/jobs/623264 

DURATION

Temporary / Seasonal

CONTACTS

Julia Tuttle 

JOB FUNCTIONS

Consulting, Data & Analytics

IDINSIGHT

IDinsight is an international development consulting organization that helps policymakers and managers make socially impactful decisions using rigorous evidence. We carefully tailor a wide range of analytical and quantitative tools to enable our clients to design better policies, rigorously test those ideas, and take informed action at scale to improve lives. Our services include experimental evaluation methodologies – including, but not limited to, randomized controlled trials – tailored to the priorities of international development decision-makers; monitoring and performance management systems to facilitate continuous data-driven improvement; policy design consulting and scale-up support. Our advisory teams are closely integrated into client organizations, and we strive to provide comprehensive support for clients who want to maximize their social impact through evidence-based policymaking. IDinsight’s vision is to improve millions of lives by transforming how the social sector innovates, learns and improves. Founded by graduates of Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School, IDinsight works across Asia and Africa and is rapidly expanding. Our clients include state governments in India, national Ministries across Africa, the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, international NGOs and innovative social businesses. We work across a range of sectors, including governance, health, education, energy, agriculture, and sanitation.

CFAR Research Integration Seminar (CRISS) Series event focusing on HIV in the Social & Behavioral Sciences.

January 27th, 2017 in BUSPH Events, GH Events

Join the Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) for a seminar on February 1st to bridge the gap between HIV researchers on the Boston University and Boston Medical campus and those at Brown University and Tufts University. The Cores of the Providence/Boston CFAR will be sponsoring a CFAR Research Integration Seminar Series (CRISS) with the primary goal of increasing core-to-core integration and generating grant applications for scholars and faculty interested in pursuing HIV research. We expect that the program will serve as a platform for developing CFAR specific research interest groups and/or scientific working groups.

Find the agenda here.

Goodbirth.net – Data Collecting Research Assistant

January 26th, 2017 in Jobs, Practicums/Internships

Project/Organization:

Goodbirth.net, a global network of birth centers, is doing a pilot descriptive survey of birth centers in low resource countries.

Position Summary:

Research assistant to assist in collecting data from birth centers identified globally via email, Zoom/Skype, and phone surveys. To begin surveys Feb 2017 and complete by June 2017.

Salary: $15 an hour. Anticipate 30-40 hrs over total project (survey approx 50 birth centers, 30 min a survey and 1 hour conference call/wk)

Qualifications /criteria:

• Global Health graduate student, data collection experience a plus
• Interest or experience with maternal healthcare
• Good computer skills, will be using Excel and MS Word
• Ability to work independently, and stay on schedule
• Capable of working effectively with a team
• Foreign language skills a bonus- French, Spanish, Creole, Hindi, Arabic

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Work under the direction of the PI/project leaders:
• To provide assistance in the conducting of research activities including planning, optimizing and conducting surveys of birth centers identified globally.
• Coordinate and perform a variety of independent and team activities involved in collection, analysis and documentation of birth center surveys.
• Present information collection and give feedback regarding the collection process
• Confer with PI with feedback and process evaluation, optimizing research project workflow during and after completion of project.

Support provided:

• Weekly conference calls
• Training re: midwifery and out of hospital birth care and survey criteria, and process.
• Liberal access to PI and project leaders.
• Welcome to participate in birth center conference in Port au Prince, Haiti March 6 2017

Submit CV /statement of interest/qualifications to:

Jennifer Stevens CNM MS, DrPH Candidate- rebeka@bu.edu

Practicum Opportunity at the School of Public Health University of Western Cape South Africa

January 26th, 2017 in Practicums/Internships

Background

Since 2014, faculty and MPH students have regularly visited the University of Western Cape (UWC) for varying periods. The most frequent visitor has been Prof Richard Laing who works with Dr Hazel Bradley on Pharmaceutical Public Health issues. Two MPH students, Chris Noble in 2015 and Selam Hailu in 2016  did their practicums in the summer at UWC. The Dean, Sandro Gallea and Prof Don Thea visited in late 2015 and Prof Andrew Stokes and Prof David Rosenbloom will be visiting in February 2017.

Practicum Description

During a three month period from May to August the BU MPH student would participate in a range of activities including some or all of the following:

• Participate and assist in the two short pharmaceutical public health related courses which occur during the 2017 Winter School. These would be on Promoting Rational Medicine Use (3-7 July) and Supply Chain Management (10 to 14 July).
  • This would include matching the hard copy course materials with the soft copy version of the course materials.
  • Facilitate group works in Medicines Supply Chain Management and Rational Medicines Use winter classes.
  • Provide input for the Medicines Supply Management Course, e.g doing simulations in class to help students who have no experience in the work of medicines supply chain  to get a feel of the work on the ground.
  • Manage the evaluation process for the courses
  • Develop a course report for each of the courses
• Work together with Mr. Wolde Amde and others at UWC on updating the school's website related to pharmaceutical public health and maybe adding other relevant sections to make it more informative and timely.
• Work with Mr Wolde Amde on incorporating Pharmaceutical Public Health related materials into the existing social media sites
• Create a pharmaceutical public health short and long course alumni contact list that could be incorporated in the school's website
• Visit health facilities and pharmacies in Cape Town
• Visit chronic dispensing unit (CDU) if possible to arrange
• Attend SOPH Public Lectures and regular SOPH Journal Club during practicum
• Possibly work with UWC students undertaking research related to pharmaceutical public health topics. This might include assisting with proposal development, literature reviews, data collection, data cleaning etc. This activity would depend on the stage at which students are in doing their research work.

Apply to

Dr Hazel Bradley BPharm, MPH, PhD, Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, South Africa at hbradley@uwc.ac.za . Early applications are encouraged as some students may need to apply for visas.

Additional Information

For additional information contact Prof Richard Laing at richardl@bu.edu or Selam Hailu at selamh@bu.edu

See Winter School web site at https://www.uwc.ac.za/Faculties/CHS/soph/Pages/Winter-School.aspx

Pharmaceutical Public Health at UWC at https://www.uwc.ac.za/Faculties/CHS/soph/Pages/PHARMACEUTICAL-PUBLIC-HEALTH.aspx

Boston University Project Director/Manager: Text Messaging Study

January 26th, 2017 in Jobs

Boston University, Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research is seeking a project director/manager to manage a longitudinal, NIH-funded study on parent-targeted text messaging focused on improving child health and wellness, including oral health.

The primary responsibilities are: to manage all project activities and assure quality control for all operations; oversee enrollment of study participants and achievement of recruitment targets; staff hiring , supervision and training; participant tracking; oversight of IRB and NIH grant report submissions; monitoring expenditures, organizing advisory board meetings; serving as primary liaison with our clinic partners; and data management.

The position involves working within a multidisciplinary research team. Strong supervisory, organizational and interpersonal skills preferred. Experience with project management, IRB processes and NIH grant reports are desirable.

The Project Manager will report directly to the lead Principal Investigator (Dr. Belinda Borrelli) and will communicate regularly with the Co-PI, Dr. Henshaw. Boston University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary and benefits are competitive. To be considered for this position, please send resume and cover letter outlining your supervisory experience to Dr. Borrelli (belindab@bu.edu)

Mobile and Electronic Health: Research Assistant

January 26th, 2017 in Jobs

The Boston University (BU) Division of Behavioral Science Research in the Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated full-time research assistant with a background in health psychology, behavioral medicine or a closely related field to join our ‘Center for Mobile and Electronic Health’, an exciting, new initiative funded by the Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research through its Affinity Research Collaborative (ARC) grant. The overall mission of the newly established Center is to conduct state-of-the art research and training in mobile and electronic health to improve the health of underserved populations across the lifespan.

The research assistant will primarily work on developing pilot studies directly supported by the ARC grant, contribute to the Center’s website and maintaining a strong social media presence (Twitter, Facebook).

Content areas include tobacco and health behavior/lifestyle interventions in at-risk, underserved populations using mobile health technology.

Duties include protocol development, IRB submission, study participant recruitment and data collection, organizing and keeping accurate records of team meetings, and other research related tasks.

Applicants should possess a degree in psychology or a closely related behavioral or social science plus one or more years of relevant research experience, excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as a strong interest in the application of mobile technology to health behaviors. Previous experience using mobile health for behavior change would be an advantage.  Salary and benefits are competitive.

The Boston University Medical Campus is comprised of the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, the School of Medicine, and the School of Public Health, providing a strong collaborative interdisciplinary environment with a wealth of resources, including the NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) which provides an array of services, collaborative opportunities, pilot funding, and training.  Robust collaborations with the surrounding community supports dissemination research.  Boston University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to Dr. Belinda Borrelli, Director of Behavioral Science Research and PI/Co-director of the BU Center for Mobile and Electronic Health: belindab@bu.edu.