MSc Global Public Health graduates showcase their work

Find out more about the first MSc Global Public Health Graduate Conference, where former students presented their dissertation topics.

In January 2023, Queen Mary Online launched the MSc Global Public Health Graduate Conference. The first of its kind, this two-part event showcased some of the brilliant and thought-provoking work produced on the Global Public Health Masters programme, as a selection of former students presented their dissertation topics to an audience of peers, current students, staff, friends, and family. 

The course describes its 10,000-word dissertation as “an advanced, in-depth examination of a particular area of global public health” explaining that the “chosen topic should relate to a relevant issue within the academic field.”

It is designed to pull together the skills and knowledge gained throughout the course, pushing students’ investigative, analytical, and academic writing competencies to the next level. But with the introduction of the conference, students will now receive an even richer experience – the chance to submit their research abstracts for review by a committee, to be published and archived to inspire future generations. 

The idea of officially recording dissertation research was born from the results of a student survey. Students were keen to develop the skills needed to produce a publishable piece of research and present it in a professional forum. Spurred by this feedback, work began on the pilot event, with overwhelmingly positive support and enthusiasm from staff and students from start to finish.  

Interested in more student experiences? Read our Q&A with Global Public Health student Tina:

In his closing remarks on day one of the conference, Global Public Health MSc Programme Director, Dr Andrew Harmer explained, “It’s the first time we’ve run [the conference, and] based on the strength of this one, I think we’re going to develop it into quite a significant event.” 

Graduate Elise Pohl echoed this optimism, concluding her presentation with a heartfelt thank you and stating, “I look forward to attending the same event each year to continue showing my support to the school, the incredible programme, and future graduates.” 

Each participant was invited to talk through their area of research for around 15 minutes, with a short Q&A afterwards. Illustrating the vast scope of public health, research topics ranged from the experiences of indigenous people who inject drugs in Australia and Canada to narratives surrounding medication abortion in English media and policy. Despite the variety – both of subject matter and methodologies – common themes of equity and intersectionality shone through.  

Dr Harmer noted that global public health is an area of study that at times “struggles with its identity”. Covering so many important topics within one programme can of course bring challenges, but as the conference perfectly demonstrated, it’s this breadth that makes the Global Public Health MSc so successful.

Seeing the bigger, multidisciplinary picture is a value instilled from the very beginning, embedded into each module, and culminating in the dissertation. It provides students the space to explore what they’re passionate about through a variety of social, political, economic, and ecological lenses.  

Conference Coordinator, Dr Sinéad Jones, commended the students for not being afraid to address the big issues and said, “It’s been an incredibly validating and encouraging experience to be able to engage with people with such a range of expertise, and with students and graduates with such a depth of experience in things at the cutting edge of global public health.”  

The conference allowed the former students discuss their research and methodologies, offering fascinating insight into some of the world’s most pressing public health issues. But it also highlighted just how transformative the experience of studying on the programme – and postgraduate study in general – can be.  

Some, such as Shoshana Bloom, are already taking strides towards full publication. Shoshana, who was inspired by the Masters programme to set up her consultancy Equiti Health, has had success getting her dissertation – an assessment of the imbalance of equity in digital health – into a publishable form, currently under review.  

Elise Pohl also hopes to take her dissertation on the effect of CAFO waste in the US further: “It’s my absolute passion. I love studying environmental health, and hopefully I’ll be able to make some sort of impact in this sector.” 

Taking a moment to reflect on the influence the course has had, Elise summed up her experience, saying, “Looking back, I have so much to be grateful for: personally, academically, and professionally. This programme has been challenging […] at times but with an intensive, purposeful, and genuine curriculum, encouraging students to not just examine and to know, but to fully explore what global health means and what it is. I am a better human being because of this programme.”  

Congratulations and a huge thank you to all those involved in both this year’s conference and the Global Public Health MSc dissertation module, including the graduates, tutors and supervisors, library services, IT, and student support. Here’s to many more successful conferences and inspiring dissertations to come! 

Gain the in-depth knowledge of contemporary public health issues – from the social determinants of health to global health policy and governance, and skills such as critical appraisal and interpreting statistics – to make a meaningful difference to the world around you. Discover more about the Global Public Health MSc: