Participatory Approaches in Public Health

This specialisation, offered by Imperial College London, empowers learners to design and implement participatory approaches in public health. Through a comprehensive study of the history, theory, and practice of participatory approaches, participants gain insights into the impact of social and cultural contexts on public health programs. The course explores the significance of participatory approaches in meeting the population’s needs and addressing health-related challenges.

Throughout the programme, participants engage with real-world case studies of community-based health projects, including historical HIV social movements, public health projects with sex workers, and participatory approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic. The specialisation comprises three modules, each focusing on different aspects of participatory approaches in public health and research.

• Introduction to Participatory Approaches in Public Health: This module delves into the history of participatory health research, emphasizing the importance of understanding the social and cultural context of public health. Learners also engage in critical analyses of participatory approaches to determine their appropriateness in various scenarios.
• Applying Participatory Approaches in Public Health Settings: This module explores the application of participatory tools in public health settings, emphasizing the critical analysis of power dynamics and the need for reciprocity between stakeholders. Participants learn to select and evaluate different participatory approaches for use in public health programs and research.
• Public Involvement in Research: This module focuses on participatory approaches in research, examining the involvement of citizens and patients in various stages of the research cycle. Participants explore the utilization of participatory approaches in research and gain insights into examples of their application across different disciplines.