Institutional Member of the Month: University of Richmond Department of Health Studies

Tell us about your institution. What is the mission of the institution?

The mission of the University of Richmond Department of Health Studies is to equip students with theoretical and empirical frameworks for understanding the social, cultural, environmental, biological, psychological, ethical, economic, legal, and policy contexts that shape individual and population health.

Why did you decide to make the connection between your program and IAPHS?

Students’ interests in health studies are expansive – from epidemiology and biostatistics, to health policy and more topical areas, like maternal and child health. Membership in IAPHS affords students the opportunities to explore related academic and professional opportunities and to gain clarity on all they can do.

We’d love to hear more about the research your members engage in. What are some themes that run through the research in your program?

Faculty in the Department of Health Studies conduct research relating to substance use; global health financing; health communication; environmental health; and maternal and child health. As an institution that primarily serves undergraduates, we focus on creating opportunities for student researchers throughout the research process and are fortunate that our institution actually guarantees summer funding for students who wish to spend their summer conducting research. In the past, students have spent the summer developing survey instruments and collecting pilot data; honing their skills with data visualization; and working on manuscripts.

Are there any recent research projects/grants/publications that you’d like to highlight?

Yes – our students and faculty recently co-published two articles on tobacco use among different generations:

• Substance Use & Misuse: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10826084.2025.2491769
• Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs: https://www.jsad.com/doi/abs/10.15288/jsad.25-00115

What makes your institution interested in interdisciplinary work?

The University of Richmond Department of Health Studies values interdisciplinary work because addressing complex health issues requires a broad perspective that integrates knowledge from multiple fields. This interdisciplinary approach enriches student learning by exposing them to diverse methodologies and viewpoints which they will need to develop innovative solutions for the health issues we face now and those we will encounter in the future.

Will you be at the conference this year? If the readers want to reach you, what’s the best way to contact you?

Yes!

margaret.tait@richmond.edu

Margaret Tait, PhD, MPH is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Studies. She’s been a member of IAPHS since 2018 and currently serves on the Membership Committee.