This Connected Community is concerned with issues in public health from an interdisciplinary angle, and the relationship between the local relevance of global complex problems. The recent experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought public health to the fore and shown that health challenges are central to modern societies and, by nature, multifaceted.
Public health, by definition, brings together multiple stakeholders, health professionals, policy organisations, government as well as the public. The CC aims to engage with these multiple audiences and develop new learning opportunities, research and evidence-based policy.
The community is led by a group of international experts who are working together on a broad range of topics related to inequalities, public health nutrition, policy development, digital learning and health, amongst others.
The community is currently developing a MOOC, as well as an academic writing programme for PhD students. The CC intends to create a virtual placement scheme and, more broadly, develop a portfolio for student connectedness beyond the traditional designs.
Connected Community Activities
Upcoming events
2025 International Conference for Public Health Students
After the success of the first ICPH student conference in 2024, the Connected Community is planning to hold it again in Autumn 2025. More information coming soon!
Global Health MOOC
Planned launch: Spring 2026.
Past events
International Conference for Public Health Students (2 November 2024, 9:00-17:00 GMT)
In November 2024, the CC hosted an inaugural student research conference at the University of Warwick and online, bringing together future leaders of public health. The theme was 'Advancing Healthy Lives and Wellbeing for All', and the conference was a success with 326 attendees coming from 9 different countries. More information is available on the conference website, and a second edition is planned for 2025!
How to get involved?
Students and educators: please contact the CC Lead, Prof Debbi Marais (d.marais@warwick.ac.uk) and the Warwick Local Facilitator, Dr Mélina Delmas (melina.delmas@warwick.ac.uk).
Debbi Marais Debbi is the Director of Postgraduate Education at Warwick Medical School and a Principal Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy, demonstrating strategic leadership to enhance student learning, with a focus on enhancing teaching quality, establishing effective organisational policies and/or strategies for supporting and promoting others (e.g. through mentoring, coaching) and championing an integrated approach to academic practice. She has more than 20 years of experience in the higher education environment gaining expertise in teaching and assessment (internally and externally) at under- and postgraduate levels; programme and course coordination; quality assurance, curriculum development and reform; student recruitment & selection and mentoring & pastoral care. Debbi originally qualified as a Dietitian and worked in the public sector in South Africa for 8 years. Thereafter she entered academia, at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, University of Aberdeen and is currently at the University of Warwick. As a Chair in Health Sciences Education, Debbi is committed to supporting and promoting innovative teaching, reflective practice and enhancing the student experience. Furthermore, Debbi is a post-doctoral researcher with a focus on Pedagogical and Public Health Nutrition research. She has a proven track record in successfully supervising postgraduate student research (PhD and Masters level) and experience of writing research proposals and securing external funding as part of collaborative teams. Debbi has excellent communication skills as evidenced by her publications, reviewer role and international, national and public engagement presentations in educational, nutrition and public health disciplines.
EU Partner: Philip Anyanwu (UW). Email: philip.anyanwu@warwick.ac.uk
Phil A. Philip is a Reader in Public Health at Warwick Medical School. He is experienced in developing and delivering public health research and education. His research interests include infectious disease epidemiology, social epidemiology, global health, digital health, and social and public health policy evaluation using big data. He has experience leading and delivering research projects evaluating the mechanism of impact of policies/interventions on antimicrobial stewardship, smoking in adults and children, COVID-19, and the inequalities therein. Some of Philip’s current research involves developing and evaluating digital applications for managing infectious and chronic diseases, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Philip holds a Senior Fellowship of the UK Higher Education Academy, a recognition of his contributions in advancing student learning development, fostering engagement, enhancing assessment for learning, and contributing to overall student research culture. His scholarship activities include knowledge exchange on evidence-based pedagogic practices in higher education in low and middle-income countries.
EU Partner: Bronwyn Harris (UW). Email: b.harris.2@warwick.ac.uk
Details coming soon.
EU Partner: Daniel Todkill (UW). Email: D.Todkill@warwick.ac.uk
Details coming soon.
EU Partner: Göran Bondjers (GU). Email: goran.bondjers@gu.se
Goran B. Göran Bondjers is a Senior Professor and Researcher at the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Gothenburg. He earned his PhD in 1972 and his MD in 1980. He has been a member and chairman of various boards including APHRC, CARTA and the Board for Health Economics at the University of Gothenburg, and he was the Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Capacity Building in Human Resources for Health and Public Health for several years. He was awarded an honorary professorship by Hanoi Medical University as well as Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg. He has published extensively in the following areas: Vascular biology, Lipoprotein and lipid metabolism, Clinical cardiovascular research, Atherosclerosis research, Nutrition, Management, Public Health including Human Resources for Health, and Reproductive health.
EU Partner: Tamar Abzhandadze (GU). Email: tamar.abzhandadze@gu.se
Tamar A. My professional activities involve both clinical practice and research. As a clinician, I work as a senior occupational therapist and specialist at the Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden. I have extensive experience of providing in-patient rehabilitation for stroke survivors at this hospital, using evidence-based interventions and assessments. As a researcher, I conduct studies at the Rehabilitation Medicine Research Group at the University of Gothenburg and perform postdoctoral work at the Division of Clinical Geriatrics at Karolinska Institutet. My research areas are stroke and dementia.
EU Partner: Sharon Fonn (GU). Email: sharon.fonn@gu.se
Details coming soon.
EU Partner: Monica Hunsberger (GU). Email: monica.hunsberger@gu.se
Details coming soon.
EU Partner: Mayssa Rekhis (GU). Email: mayssa.rekhis@gu.se
Details coming soon.
EU Partner: Håkan Billig (GU). Email: hakan.billig@fysiologi.gu.se
Details coming soon.
EU Partner: Sónia Dias (UNL). Email: sonia.dias@ensp.unl.pt
Sonia D. Sónia Dias is Dean and Full Professor at the National School of Public Health - NOVA University Lisbon, Portugal. She has a PhD in International Health. She has developed her scientific activity on health promotion, disease prevention and socio-behavioural sciences, with a particular focus on health inequalities, as well as in evaluation of health interventions and policies. Sónia has vast experience in projects, namely financed by the European Union. She has acted as consultant for several international organizations. She has co-authored 150+ papers in peer-reviewed indexed journals and published several book chapters and books.
EU Partner: Inês Fronteira (UNL). Email: ines.fronteira@ensp.unl.pt
Inês Fronteira (BSc Nursing, MSc in Public Health, PhD in International Health - Health Policies, Hab. Public Health – Epidemiology) is a Professor at the NOVA National School of Public Health. She is a member of the Comprehensive Health Research Center, a counselor of the National Ethics Council for Life Sciences in Portugal and a member of the National Ethics Committee for Clinical Research. She leads the Portuguese team of the European Observatory on Health Systems and the NOVA Health System and Policies Group. She is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the European Health Management Association and the Editor-in-chief of the BMC journal Human Resources for Health. Her research focuses on Health Services and Policies and Human Resources for Health, and she has authored or co-authored more than 120 peer-reviewed papers and several books and book chapters.
EU Partner: Paulo Sousa (UNL). Email: paulo.sousa@ensp.unl.pt
Paulo Sousa is an Associate Professor at NOVA NSPH, where he teaches courses on Global Health, Health Policies and Systems, as well as Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. He also serves as the Director of the Department of Health Strategies at NOVA ENSP. Paulo is a member of the editorial boards for several leading journals, including the International Journal for Quality in Healthcare, the International Journal of Public Health, the Portuguese Journal of Cardiology, and the Portuguese Journal for Public Health. He coordinates and participates in various national and international projects focused on Health Policy and Strategy, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. Additionally, he has collaborated with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) as a fellow, contributing to quality and safety improvement initiatives in Portugal, Greece, and Brazil. Since 2020, Paulo has been the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborative Centre for Education, Research, and Evaluation of Safety and Quality of Care.
EU Partner: Rui Santana (UNL). Email: ruisantana@ensp.unl.pt
Details coming soon.
EU Partner: Eline Tommelein (VUB). Email: eline.tommelein@vub.be
Details coming soon.
EU Partner: Marius-Ionuț Ungureanu (UBB). Email: marius.ungureanu@ubbcluj.ro
Dr. Marius-Ionuț Ungureanu MD, PhD is a medical doctor with extensive training in healthcare management and policy, and a background in health workforce, health systems & public health research. He is currently serving as Chair of the Department of Public Health, and Director of the Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy, both within the School of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences at Babeș-Bolyai University (BBU) in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. He has served in Government in various capacities, including as Advisor to the Health Minister, Chief of Staff to the Health Minister, and Deputy Health Minister, in the Romanian Ministry of Health. His main areas of expertise are: human resources for health research, policy, and development; leadership & healthcare reform; quality management in healthcare; health services research; primary and community health care; research design; research management. Dr. Ungureanu is a member of European Public Health Association’s (EUPHA) Governing Board, representing BBU’s Department of Public Health, and President of EUPHA's Health Workforce Research Section.
EU Partner: Stefania Szeibert-Kerekes (UBB). Email: stefania.kerekes@ubbcluj.ro
Stefania Szeibert-Kerekes is a pharmacist with a doctoral degree in International Relations. Her expertise includes health policy, public health, epidemiology, political science, and pharmacy. Stefania is an assistant professor at the School of Public Health at Babeș-Bolyai University, where she teaches two courses: Global Health and Health Systems. Additionally, she holds the role of EUTOPIA Officer, where she applies her skills in international collaboration, project management, and academic leadership. Stefania has gained extensive experience through Erasmus+ programmes in Bruxelles and Valencia and as a Fulbright Scholar. She completed part of her doctoral studies at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health, under the Fulbright programme.
Global Partner: René English (SU). Email: renglish@sun.ac.za
Details coming soon.
Global Partner: Dragan Ilic (MU). Email: dragan.ilic@monash.edu
Dragan Ilic Professor Dragan Ilic is the Deputy Head (Education) of the School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine (SPHPM). He is also the Director, Teaching & Learning and Head, Medical Education Research & Quality (MERQ) unit at SPHPM. Dragan is responsible for overseeing the education portfolio at the SPHPM, which includes undergraduate, postgraduate and professional education programs. Dragan is internationally recognised for his expertise in evidence-based practice (EBP) and health professions education. He is a board member of the International Society of Evidence-based Health Care (ISEBHC), editorial member of Cochrane Urology and member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Health Professions Educators (ANZAHPE). He sits on a variety of health professions journals, including the Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions as Reviews Editor. Dragan also sits on a variety on panels including University affiliated research panels and teaching committees, and NHMRC research panels. He is a previous recipient of the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Performance.
Global Partner: Danijela Gasevic (MU). Email: danijela.gasevic@monash.edu
Details coming soon.
Global Partner: Holly Wild (MU). Email: holly.wild@monash.edu
Details coming soon.
Global Partner: Jairo Roa (UNIANDES). Email: jaroa@uniandes.edu.co
Dr. Roa is a medical doctor, a specialist in Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, and holds a Master’s degree in Education. He also completed a specialization in Critical Care Medicine and was a Pulmonary Fellow at Boston University. Throughout his career, he has held many academic and leadership roles at Universidad de los Andes. Since 2004, Dr. Roa has been an Institutional Member of the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, where he created the Critical Care Medicine Service, which later became a full department. For the past 17 years, he has served as Head of the Department of Internal Medicine. He is currently the Dean of the School of Medicine at Universidad de los Andes.
Global Partner: Esteban Vanegas-Duarte (UNIANDES). Email: e.vanegasd@uniandes.edu.co
Esteban Vanegas-Duarte is a physician with a master's degrees in Epidemiology and Public Health, and a background in Health Economics. He currently serves as Director of the Master’s in Public Health program at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and as Head of Research at Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. His work focuses on population health, with a strong commitment to improving health outcomes in Colombia’s most vulnerable regions. He leads research and applied initiatives on infectious diseases, particularly antimicrobial resistance, neglected and tropical diseases such as dengue, malaria, and yellow fever; as well as vaccine-preventable conditions. As an educator, he is deeply involved in training future professionals, generating scientific evidence, and leading projects that aim to inform and shape public policy. His goal is to advance health equity and strengthen public health through impactful research, education, and policy engagement.
Global Partner: María Fernanda Moreno (UNIANDES). Email: mf.moreno10@uniandes.edu.co
María Fernanda Moreno is a biologist and physician. She holds a Master’s in Epidemiology, and has over five years of experience in global health and human health research. She has led and supported projects as a research assistant and coordinator, developing skills in project management, data analysis, and scientific communication. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication across academic and clinical settings. She also bring experience in higher education as a graduate teaching assistant, with a strong commitment to mentorship and evidence-based public health. She is passionate about contributing to impactful, international research initiatives.
Pauline Rimui is a recent Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate. She is passionate about global health and particularly how we can leverage digital health innovations to strengthen health systems in the global south. She currently assists the EUTOPIA Global Health Connected Community.
Emily is a current MPH student at the University of Warwick and student representative for the Global Health Connected Community. After graduating from the University of Liverpool in 2022 with a BSc in Psychology, Emily has worked frontline in community inpatient mental health settings. In addition to a passion for mental wellbeing, Emily has interests in nutrition, non-communicable disease and health improvement.
In November 2024, the CC hosted an inaugural student research conference at the University of Warwick and online, bringing together future leaders of public health. The theme was 'Advancing Healthy Lives and Wellbeing for All', and the conference was a success with 326 attendees coming from 9 different countries. More information is available on the conference website, and a second edition is planned for 2025!
Inês Fronteira (BSc Nursing, MSc in Public Health, PhD in International Health - Health Policies, Hab. Public Health – Epidemiology) is a Professor at the NOVA National School of Public Health. She is a member of the Comprehensive Health Research Center, a counselor of the National Ethics Council for Life Sciences in Portugal and a member of the National Ethics Committee for Clinical Research. She leads the Portuguese team of the European Observatory on Health Systems and the NOVA Health System and Policies Group. She is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the European Health Management Association and the Editor-in-chief of the BMC journal Human Resources for Health. Her research focuses on Health Services and Policies and Human Resources for Health, and she has authored or co-authored more than 120 peer-reviewed papers and several books and book chapters.
Paulo Sousa is an Associate Professor at NOVA NSPH, where he teaches courses on Global Health, Health Policies and Systems, as well as Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. He also serves as the Director of the Department of Health Strategies at NOVA ENSP. Paulo is a member of the editorial boards for several leading journals, including the International Journal for Quality in Healthcare, the International Journal of Public Health, the Portuguese Journal of Cardiology, and the Portuguese Journal for Public Health. He coordinates and participates in various national and international projects focused on Health Policy and Strategy, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. Additionally, he has collaborated with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) as a fellow, contributing to quality and safety improvement initiatives in Portugal, Greece, and Brazil. Since 2020, Paulo has been the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborative Centre for Education, Research, and Evaluation of Safety and Quality of Care.
Dr. Marius-Ionuț Ungureanu MD, PhD is a medical doctor with extensive training in healthcare management and policy, and a background in health workforce, health systems & public health research. He is currently serving as Chair of the Department of Public Health, and Director of the Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy, both within the School of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences at Babeș-Bolyai University (BBU) in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. He has served in Government in various capacities, including as Advisor to the Health Minister, Chief of Staff to the Health Minister, and Deputy Health Minister, in the Romanian Ministry of Health. His main areas of expertise are: human resources for health research, policy, and development; leadership & healthcare reform; quality management in healthcare; health services research; primary and community health care; research design; research management. Dr. Ungureanu is a member of European Public Health Association’s (EUPHA) Governing Board, representing BBU’s Department of Public Health, and President of EUPHA's Health Workforce Research Section.
Stefania Szeibert-Kerekes is a pharmacist with a doctoral degree in International Relations. Her expertise includes health policy, public health, epidemiology, political science, and pharmacy. Stefania is an assistant professor at the School of Public Health at Babeș-Bolyai University, where she teaches two courses: Global Health and Health Systems. Additionally, she holds the role of EUTOPIA Officer, where she applies her skills in international collaboration, project management, and academic leadership. Stefania has gained extensive experience through Erasmus+ programmes in Bruxelles and Valencia and as a Fulbright Scholar. She completed part of her doctoral studies at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health, under the Fulbright programme.
Dr. Roa is a medical doctor, a specialist in Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, and holds a Master’s degree in Education. He also completed a specialization in Critical Care Medicine and was a Pulmonary Fellow at Boston University. Throughout his career, he has held many academic and leadership roles at Universidad de los Andes. Since 2004, Dr. Roa has been an Institutional Member of the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, where he created the Critical Care Medicine Service, which later became a full department. For the past 17 years, he has served as Head of the Department of Internal Medicine. He is currently the Dean of the School of Medicine at Universidad de los Andes.
Esteban Vanegas-Duarte is a physician with a master's degrees in Epidemiology and Public Health, and a background in Health Economics. He currently serves as Director of the Master’s in Public Health program at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and as Head of Research at Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. His work focuses on population health, with a strong commitment to improving health outcomes in Colombia’s most vulnerable regions. He leads research and applied initiatives on infectious diseases, particularly antimicrobial resistance, neglected and tropical diseases such as dengue, malaria, and yellow fever; as well as vaccine-preventable conditions. As an educator, he is deeply involved in training future professionals, generating scientific evidence, and leading projects that aim to inform and shape public policy. His goal is to advance health equity and strengthen public health through impactful research, education, and policy engagement.
María Fernanda Moreno is a biologist and physician. She holds a Master’s in Epidemiology, and has over five years of experience in global health and human health research. She has led and supported projects as a research assistant and coordinator, developing skills in project management, data analysis, and scientific communication. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication across academic and clinical settings. She also bring experience in higher education as a graduate teaching assistant, with a strong commitment to mentorship and evidence-based public health. She is passionate about contributing to impactful, international research initiatives.
Pauline Rimui is a recent Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate. She is passionate about global health and particularly how we can leverage digital health innovations to strengthen health systems in the global south. She currently assists the EUTOPIA Global Health Connected Community.
Emily is a current MPH student at the University of Warwick and student representative for the Global Health Connected Community. After graduating from the University of Liverpool in 2022 with a BSc in Psychology, Emily has worked frontline in community inpatient mental health settings. In addition to a passion for mental wellbeing, Emily has interests in nutrition, non-communicable disease and health improvement.
