IEPI BLOG – Immersion in the field of global health ethics: Undergraduate Student Experience with IEPI

This summer I was employed as an undergraduate research assistant at IEPI under the supervision of Dr. Matthew Grellette. My role entailed conducting research on the concept of solidarity in global health, particularly in the context of global health emergencies. The main deliverable associated with my work was a conceptual landscape. The purpose of this document was to explore various aspects of the concept of solidarity: the historical origins and development of the term in the fields of sociology and philosophy, the role of solidarity in health care discourse, key features of notable philosophical conceptions of solidarity, and specific examples of how key global health actors have used the term during the H1N1, Ebola, and COVID-19 pandemics. I also conducted a rudimentary analysis of trends in the usage of solidarity by global health actors by contrasting practical usage of the term against theoretical conceptions.

Authoring the conceptual landscape allowed me to develop and strengthen a number of skills. While I have been cultivating my, primarily scientific, research skills since my first year of university, this was the largest and most intellectually demanding project I have completed to date. The conceptual landscape required me to do research in the fields of sociology and philosophy; disciplines I previously had limited exposure to from a research perspective. Throughout the process I expanded my ability to find connections between and engage with large subsets of literature, as well as synthesize that information concisely.

My time at IEPI also provided me with the opportunity to refine both my written and oral communication skills. In addition to writing the conceptual landscape, I participated in various kinds of meetings with the IEPI team. Discussing my work and progress at an individual level with Dr. Grellette helped me gain confidence engaging in intellectual conversations about complex ideas, as well as practice communicating what I need to be successful in a professional environment. Additionally, I had weekly meetings with Stephany Rivera that took the form of peer mentorship discussions, and frequent meetings with Erdanya Anderson, another undergraduate researcher at IEPI this summer. I also participated in weekly research huddles with the IEPI staff where I shared my progress and goals for the week. The bi-weekly paper discussion groups provided yet another environment where I could engage with global health issues, share my thoughts and questions, and most importantly, learn from the other IEPI members about the field of global health. The final context in which I practiced my communication skills was a 25-minute presentation on the content of the conceptual landscape. This presentation needed to accurately represent a large body of research in a relatively short period of time. Following the presentation, I engaged in a 20-minute question-and-answer discussion period with the IEPI staff about my findings. This presentation served to educate the IEPI team about the concept of solidarity and its influence in global health.There were also weekly opportunities to get to know the team on a more personal level and truly set the tone for not only a positive workplace, but a learning environment as well.

Looking forward, my time at IEPI has been incredibly important in my personal development and goals for the near future. I currently have plans to pursue graduate level education in either global health or philosophy with a focus in ethics. Without having this experience at IEPI, especially the welcoming environment the team created, I do not think I would feel so confident in my decision to pursue a career in this field. Working at IEPI has been an invaluable experience which I am grateful for.

Written by: Grace Gabber