Planetary Health Campus Ambassador Program
The PHCA program formally recognizes Next Generation leaders in Planetary Health on academic campuses and within the international Planetary Health community at-large. During the program, Ambassadors will build their Planetary Health network and gain leadership and organizational skills with the support of their diverse PHCA cohort, PHA staff, and Alliance Members. PHCAs are empowered to take leadership on their campus and beyond, to educate their community, and to facilitate collaborations between existing disciplines and initiatives within the scope of human health and environmental change. PHCAs also become part of the PHA’s broader Next Generation Network comprised of individuals from a variety of academic and cultural backgrounds, career stages, and interests. They will also have access to exclusive leadership opportunities within other PHA initiatives, such as the global Planetary Health Annual Meeting, Planetary Health Regional Hubs, Clinicians for Planetary Health, and various education projects.
What are the benefits of being a Planetary Health Campus Ambassador?
Students will have the opportunity to be recognized as “champions” of Planetary Health in their communities, while also developing and building their leadership and organizational skills. With the title of Planetary Health Campus Ambassador, students are empowered to make cross-cutting collaborations on their campus between various existing and emerging initiatives within the scope of Planetary Health, such as linking human health and environmentally oriented networks and initiatives. They will become part of a broader network of Planetary Health ambassadors made up of individuals from a variety of academic interests, ages, and nationalities, and will hold a key role in the Planetary Health Alliance’s Next Generation Network – including exclusive opportunities to participate at global Planetary Health Annual Meetings. Furthermore, students will be thoughtfully paired with a mentor in the Planetary Health field to assist in their professional development in this transdisciplinary and emerging field.
- Current undergraduate or graduate student interested in Planetary Health
- Must be an enrolled student for the full duration of your term (January to December 2024)
- Students from all disciplines and geographies are encouraged to apply
- All prospective ambassadors are required to submit an individual application
Requirements for applicants:
- Commitment to year-long term from January to December
- Organize 1-4 activities, events or projects per semester, depending on the scale and complexity of the event
- Check-in with your fellow campus ambassadors frequently (monthly, if possible)
- Attend at least 2 PHA organized workshops/events over the course of the calendar year
What are some of the activities students could organize?
While there are a wide range of events students could organize, some examples that have been successful are listed below. PLEASE NOTE: In light of COVID-19, we encourage our ambassadors to adapt these suggestions virtually, or come up with alternate forms of programming that best fit their school’s COVID-19 policies. The PHA's Program Assistant and Next Gen Fellow will be available to brainstorm with the awarded Planetary Health Campus Ambassadors regarding their projects and events.
- Host Planetary Health themed movie screenings and discussions
- Curate virtual or on-campus art displays/installations
- Invite Planetary Health experts for a panel discussion
- Start a Planetary Health student club, journal discussion group, or email list
- Host a series of interactive workshops
- Create links between existing public health and environmental/sustainability groups or initiatives to implement Planetary Health solutions
- Design educational campaigns around campus
- Engage your local or global Planetary Health community (potentially through research projects) in Planetary Health education and solutions
- Build out a Planetary Health website for your school or emerging club
- Campaign for the implementation of a Planetary Health curricula, course materials, or centers
- Work with the PHA to encourage your university to join the Alliance or adopt Planetary Health curriculum
The PHA's Program Coordinator and Next Gen Fellow will be available to brainstorm with the awarded Planetary Health Campus Ambassadors regarding their on-campus projects and events.