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 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 and health sciences. 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 sharing concrete research applications, 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. Yaël 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 interprofessional collaboration in palliative care; Yaël holds a master's degree in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences and in Health Care Management and Policy, and focused her PhD on integrated care for cancer survivors with chronic pain complaints.

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 thinking provide powerful tools to analyze, model, and interpret dynamic behaviors across various domains, including public health. This seminar will introduce the fundamental concepts of systems thinking, such as emergence, non-linearity, feedback loops, and adaptive systems, and demonstrate their relevance to complex public health challenges. Participants will also explore causal loop diagrams (CLDs) as a tool for mapping complex health problems, with an interactive demonstration using STICKE software. Through this session, attendees will gain insights into how CLDs can be built through Group Model Building to visualize the drivers of unhealthy behaviors related to childhood obesity, offering a practical lens for understanding the nonlinear and often unpredictable nature of health systems. By the end of the seminar, participants will have a broader appreciation of systems thinking, gaining insights into how this approach can enhance public health strategies and drive system-wide change.

This session will be given by Alejandra Sotomajor Sainz, doctoral student in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, with extensive hands-on experience in complexity thinking. The session will be moderated by Prof. Stefan Heytens.

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 reasoning in research

Due to ethical or practical reasons, observational studies are often used in public health. While we are often interested in causal effects (to guide interventions and policy), many of these observational studies rely on associational rather than causal analysis. This may result in the observed associations being spurious because of different types of biases (e.g., confounding bias). Causal inference methods help researchers better understand under what conditions a causal effect can be identified and how to conduct observational and quasi-experimental studies to answer causal questions.

The session will be led by Dr. Julia Rohrer and Dr. Louise Poppe. Dr. Julia Rohrer is a personality psychologist with a PhD from the International Max Planck Research School on the Life Course, currently affiliated with the Wilhelm Wundt Institute for Psychology, Leipzig University. She is renowned for her expertise in introducing causal inference methods for observational research. Her 2018 paper, "Thinking Clearly About Causation and Correlation," has been cited over 1,000 times. Dr. Louise Poppe is a postdoctoral researcher from our own department. She co-authored a commentary paper on the need for causal reasoning in applied health research and will present practical applications of these methods.

 Date: 07/04/25, 12:30-15:30

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.