Gaining practical skills in policy research while learning about health security and diplomacy

Tackling today’s critical global health challenges requires prepared global citizens who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to make positive change happen.

Putting into practice skills gained throughout the Global Health program at McMaster University, graduate student Tarannum Khan, is completing a work-integrated learning practicum with the Centre for Global Health Security & Diplomacy (CGHSD). The CGHSD works with renowned experts in the field of global health security and diplomacy to provide high-level “hands-on” skills training to young graduates, business, health, defence, and foreign affairs professionals.

The main streams of focus of the CGHSD include policy research, capacity building, and advocacy. Working within the capacity building stream, Tarannum ties in policy research that involves developing research-based communication materials for various stakeholders in governments, international organizations, and multilateral platforms such as the World Health Organization and Global Health Security Agenda Consortium.

With an interest in global health policy, she remarks, “working with CGHSD is a great opportunity to dig deeper into policy and gain practical skills in policy research while learning about health security and diplomacy.”

With the opportunity to engage in meaningful work, Tarannum is further developing academic and research skills. Additionally, while learning how to be a better professional communicator and writer alike, she is simultaneously fostering new-found international collaboration skills.

Preparing for a future career in global health and medical school in the upcoming Fall, Tarannum reflects that, “the practicum opportunity is providing me with key insights into the landscape of global health from an international relations perspective,” and hopes to, “leverage skills and knowledge to be a more effective advocate for global health equity.”

Through the academic year, Tarranum was Co-Chair of the Global Health Program Student Liaison Group (SLG) and worked alongside peers to organize social activities such as a bonfire and dinners at the on-campus restaurant Phoenix Craft House and Grill. Excited about helping to distribute class sweaters, which she hopes to wear for years to come, Tarannum expressed that, “being part of the SLG underscores my favourite part of my experience, which was meeting so many wonderful people. I can confidently say that my peers in this program are going to make amazing global health leaders.”

Putting into practice what Global Health students learn in their course work, the work-integrated learning practicums further cultivate their global health knowledge while developing cross-cutting skills preparing them for careers in a changing world.