Research Activities

Research is the lifeblood of many of the School's activities, but our emphasis is on applied, rather than basic, research. We want to take what we learn and put it swiftly to use. We actively disseminate our work through traditional mechanisms such as peer-reviewed journals and press releases, but also through websites, community presentations and testimony for legislative and executive bodies.

At SPHHS, we believe there is no rigid line between the ivory tower and the real world of public health. Every Department engages in research that brings its faculty, staff and students into the field - in the Washington metropolitan area, in urban and rural settings across the United States and in many countries around the world. Our work often identifies unmet needs, tests innovative models and action strategies and emphasizes evaluation to ensure that what's being implemented actually works. Much of it is collaborative and multidisciplinary, engaging other scholars, as well as advocates, policymakers, legislators, private sector representatives and the community.

In FY 2007, the School's research expenditures were nearly $68 million and they continue to grow. About one third of our research projects are community-based and half involve students in substantive roles.

Read on for more highlights.