Research to Drive Change
Public health education is evolving to meet the urgent challenges of our time. From preparing the next generation of professionals to strengthening the systems that support them, how we train, educate and accredit matters. At the International Council for Accreditation and Advancement of Public Health Education (ICAPHE), our research sits at the heart of our operations.
Led by our Scientific Council and grounded in international standards, our research agenda aims to support not only accreditation but the real and practical improvement of public health education systems globally. We are building an evidence base that informs policy, enhances student outcomes and promotes lasting change.
We begin this work with three major international research initiatives. Each offers a unique lens through which to understand and improve education, while collectively contributing to a shared goal: Ensuring high quality public health training that is current, responsive and effective.
Listening to Students, Faculty and Other Stakeholders
The first of these initiatives explores the perspectives of students, faculty and key stakeholders on the quality and direction of public health education. Co-ordinated by a central team at the University of Western Australia and supported by regional investigators, this global project spans all six World Health Organization regions.
Through focus groups, interviews and document analysis, the research asks fundamental questions: What shapes the educational experience? What do students value most? Where are the gaps and opportunities in how we train future professionals?
This work will inform accreditation criteria, shape programme design and influence how institutions support students and respond to their needs. By drawing from diverse settings and contexts, the findings will offer a global picture of strengths, challenges and priorities in public health education.
WHO’s Essential Public Health Functions Mapping
Our second initiative focuses on the revised 2024 Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs) and competences and how they are being integrated into training and education worldwide. Through a structured monitoring process, institutions applying for ICAPHE accreditation are asked to complete a detailed self-assessment, documenting how EPHFs and related competences are reflected in their teaching.
This project provides far more than a compliance check. By systematically reviewing submissions, we are gathering vital data on how education aligns with contemporary public health practice. We are learning where innovation is happening, where gaps remain and where shared learning could improve outcomes.
The results will inform curriculum development, accreditation guidelines and policy at both institutional and international levels. Just as importantly, they will support providers in refining their programmes to better meet the needs of learners and communities alike.
Thematic Analysis: Turning Accreditation into Systemic Insight
Accreditation is often seen as a single outcome, but at ICAPHE it is a rich source of ongoing learning. Our third research stream involves a process of thematic analysis. We collect and synthesise findings from accreditation reviews to identify common issues, emerging trends and examples of good practice.
From self-assessments and peer reviews to action plans and progress reports, this body of work provides a deep insight into what is working and what needs to change across public health education systems. It also allows us to respond to the call from global standards bodies to demonstrate impact at a systemic level, including better student outcomes, stronger employability and greater alignment with health system priorities.
These findings are distilled by our Scientific Council into research reports and policy briefings that are shared across the ICAPHE network and beyond. They serve as a vital bridge between evaluation and innovation.
Shaping the Future
While these are our first three major projects, they are only the beginning. Our research platform is designed to grow, with space for collaborative studies, regional priorities and innovative partnerships. We welcome institutions, researchers, students and public health networks to engage with us, whether through participation, data sharing or dialogue.
Through evidence-informed work, ICAPHE is supporting more than quality assurance. We are strengthening the foundations of public health education itself. We are identifying what makes programmes relevant, equitable and effective. And we are connecting those insights across borders to support meaningful improvement worldwide.
This is your invitation to be part of that work. Together, we can shape a future where every public health learner has access to high quality, responsive education, and every community benefits from well-prepared professionals who are ready to lead.