Methodological aspects of research and societal outreach in public health and primary care
Cluster
Research and valorization
Target audience
Doctoral students, primarily from the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, but open to doctoral students from other departments or faculties with interest in the topics.
Organizing committee
Prof. Ann Van Hecke, Prof. Stefaan De Henauw and Laurence Hendrickx (all from the Department of Public Health and Primary care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences).
Abstract
In this course, PhD students will learn to look at the broader methodological and societal context in which their research project takes place: they will learn to look for connections with other disciplines, to understand the concept of causality in qualitative and quantitative research, complex adaptive systems, the use of Artificial Intelligence in research, to be involved in research projects from colleagues from other research domains related to public health and primary care, but also to reflect on the role of researchers in the public space, their relation to societal stakeholders, and how to interact with for example policy makers at different levels.
Objectives
Learning to take other disciplines and other stakeholders (more) into account in all aspects of and at all times in the trajectory of their research: from the design phase, in co-creating the research project together with researchers from other disciplines and with societal stakeholders, during implementation, through regular revision of project design, data collection and analysis methods, not only with supervisors but also with peers, till disseminating the research results to the general public, policy makers, fellow researchers and civil society organizations.
Programme
1. Debate on neutrality of research and the role of the scientist in the public space
In an era where the results of scientific research profoundly impact society, the question of whether research can or should remain neutral is more pertinent than ever. The ideal of objectivity in science is often challenged by the realities of funding sources, personal biases, and societal influences. Additionally, scientists are increasingly called upon to engage with the public, advocate for evidence-based policies, and communicate their findings in accessible ways.
This debate will examine the complexities surrounding the neutrality of research, exploring whether true impartiality is achievable or even desirable. We will also discuss the evolving role of scientists as public intellectuals and advocates, weighing the benefits and potential pitfalls of their involvement in public discourse. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the ethical, practical, and philosophical dimensions of scientific neutrality and public engagement.
The debate will be led by Prof. Ignaas Devisch, professor of medical philosophy and ethics.
Panelists are:
- Prof. Ilse Derluyn, Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, and Director of the Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees (CESSMIR)
- Prof. Koenraad Bogaert, Department of Conflict and Development Studies, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, and member of the Middle East and North Africa Research Group (Menarg)
- Prof. Seppe Segers, Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, and member of the Bioethics Institute Ghent
- Prof. Eva Van Braeckel, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Date: 15/10/24, 12:00-13:30
Location: Seminar room MRBII building, Campus UZ Gent
Register here.
2. Reaching out to policy makers: What do academics have to offer to health policy making, and how do you find your way in the political structures and decision making processes involved in health policy making?
Belgium has an extremely complex political system. The first step in the process of the translation of research into policy making, is to identify the right person to reach out to. In this seminar, Prof. Tom Goffin, assistant professor in health law and health law expert of the Belgian Superior Health Council, will provide the knowledge around the competencies of the Ministers involved at the different levels (regional, federal) and understand the organization of the health care system in Belgium.
Sound health policy making necessitates an evidence base to ensure effectiveness. But too often scientists and politicians speak a different language, making effective collaboration difficult. This leads to misunderstanding and even mistrust. In the second part of the seminar, Ms. Emilie Peeters, coordinator of the Academic Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy (ANSER) network, will focus on why it is so important to recognize that both politicians and academics have a different but equally important role to play and that collaboration between all stakeholders is crucial to move effectively from evidence to policy and ensure impact.
Date: 7/11/24, 12:00-16:00
Location: Seminar room MRBII building, Campus UZ Gent
Register here.
3. PhD café
In a PhD café, PhD students get an opportunity to present their research to other PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and professors, in an informal setting. The aim is to improve their presentation skills, while at the same time getting feedback on their research itself from colleagues from the same and different disciplines, but all related to public health and primary care. In this way, they can also engage in discussions about their work, broadening their scientific horizons. A few months before each PhD Café, speakers are invited to submit an abstract. Students following these sessions are not required, but are encouraged to present their own work.
Date: 5/12/24, 12:00-13:30
Location: Together in The Core, Campus UZ Gent
Register here.
4. Realist research
Realist research offers a robust framework for understanding complex social phenomena by focusing on the mechanisms that generate outcomes within specific contexts. This approach moves beyond the simple identification of causal relationships to explore the underlying structures and processes that influence events and behaviors. In this seminar, we will delve into the principles and methodologies of realist research, highlighting its application across various fields, particularly in social sciences and policy evaluation. We will discuss key concepts such as context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations, the importance of theory-driven inquiry, and the iterative nature of realist analysis. By examining real-world case studies, we aim to illustrate how realist research can provide deeper, actionable insights that inform practice and policy, and how to apply the principles of this powerful research paradigm to your own work.
This workshop will be given by Dr. Fien Mertens and Dr. Yael Slaghmuylder. They are both postdoctoral researchers associated with the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, who have used realist research in the implementation of their PhD research projects. Fien is a family physician whose doctoral research project focused on Integrated Care for palliative patients; Yael holds a master's degree in speech-language pathology and audiology and used realist research to develop guides to empower breast cancer survivors in their management of chronic pain.
Date: 14/01/25, 12:00-13:30
Location: Together in The Core, Campus UZ Gent
Register here.
5. Complexity and systems science
In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding the intricate web of relationships and interactions within complex systems is essential. Complexity and systems science offer powerful tools and frameworks to analyze, model, and interpret the dynamic behaviors of systems across various domains, from ecology and economics to public health and social networks. This seminar will introduce the fundamental concepts of complexity theory and systems science, including emergence, self-organization, feedback loops, and adaptive systems. We will explore how these principles can be applied to address real-world challenges, enabling us to identify leverage points and design more effective interventions. Through case studies and interactive discussions, we aim to deepen your appreciation of the nuanced and often unpredictable nature of complex systems.
This session will be given by Prof. Steven Allender, Professor of Public Health and founding Director of the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE) at Deakin University in Australia. He is a leading scientist in the field of applying systems science methodological frameworks for community based interventions in public health.
Date: 13/02/25, 12:00-13:30
Location: Together in The Core, Campus UZ Gent
Register here.
6. Stakeholder engagement & how to carry out a stakeholder analysis
Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial for the success of public health initiatives and primary care programs. Engaging stakeholders—ranging from patients and healthcare providers to policymakers and community organizations—ensures that diverse perspectives are considered, fostering more inclusive and effective health interventions.
In this seminar, we will explore the principles and practices of stakeholder engagement, focusing on how to identify, analyze, and collaborate with key stakeholders in public health and primary care. Through practical examples and interactive discussions, we will delve into the methodologies for conducting comprehensive stakeholder analyses, examining their roles, interests, and influences. This seminar will be led by Dr. Peter Delobelle, a medical doctor with twenty years of experience in public health research, teaching and service delivery. He is the Deputy Director of the Chronic Disease Initiative for Africa (CDIA) at the university of Cape Town (South Africa) and A/Prof at the Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium). His research focuses on health policy and systems research, health promotion, implementation research and integrated knowledge translation.
Date: 11/03/25, 12:00-13:30
Location: Together in The Core, Campus UZ Gent
Register here.
7. Causality in qualitative and quantitative research
Interpretation and assumptions related to causality are fundamental to both qualitative and quantitative research, as they allow us to identify and explain the relationships between variables and events. In this seminar, we will explore how different research methodologies approach the concept of causality. For quantitative research, we will discuss experimental designs as well as statistical methods to examine causal links between variables. In qualitative research, we will examine how causality is interpreted through context-rich narratives, case studies, and the identification of underlying mechanisms and processes. By comparing and contrasting these approaches, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how causality can be rigorously examined and established across different research paradigms.
The session will be given by Dr. Louise Poppe, postdoctoral researcher at the research unit ‘Health Promotion’. Louise has given many introductory workshops on causal reasoning and implemented the use of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) in the course ‘Advanced Statistics in Health Promotion’. Furthermore, she co-authored a commentary paper on the need for causal reasoning in applied health research.
Date: 03/04/25, 9:00-12:00
Location: Together in The Core, Campus UZ Gent
Register here.
8. The use of AI in qualitative research methodology
In recent years, Artificial Intelligence has revolutionized various fields, and qualitative research is no exception. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and advanced data analytics, AI enables researchers to uncover deeper insights, analyze large volumes of data efficiently, and identify patterns that may not be immediately apparent through traditional methods. This seminar aims to explore how these cutting-edge technologies can be integrated into qualitative research, enhancing both the rigor and reach of our investigations. We will discuss practical applications, benefits, and potential challenges, offering a comprehensive overview of how AI can transform the way we approach qualitative research. The speaker will be confirmed at a later stage.
Date: 29/04/25, 12:00-13:30
Location: To be announced
Register here.
9. PhD café
In a PhD café, PhD students get an opportunity to present their research to other PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and professors, in an informal setting. The aim is to improve their presentation skills, while at the same time getting feedback on their research itself from colleagues from the same and different disciplines, but all related to public health and primary care. In this way, they can also engage in discussions about their work, broadening their scientific horizons. A few months before each PhD Café, speakers are invited to submit an abstract. Students following these sessions are not required, but are encouraged to present their own work.
Date: 15/05/25, 12:00-13:30
Location: Together in The Core, Campus UZ Gent
Register here .
Registration fee
Free of charge for Doctoral School members.
Language
English
Evaluation method
Students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sessions offered by the department. These sessions are grouped into two clusters, allowing students to choose activities from both clusters. For the course to be added to the curriculum of the Doctoral Training programme, the PhD student must select at least three sessions, totaling six contact hours, and actively engage in them. At the end of the course, students are required to submit a reflection document.
After successful participation, the Doctoral School Office will add this course to your curriculum of the Doctoral Training Programme in Oasis. Please note that this can take up to one to two months after completion of the course.