WED-054 - The WeEmbody Lab: Six Years of Training the Next Generation of Global Health Advocates

Brief Abstract Summary: The WeEmbody (WE) Lab at the University of New Haven is a dynamic public health initiative dedicated to developing the next generation of health educators and advocates. Established in 2019, the WE Lab Fellowship provides comprehensive training for undergraduate and graduate students, emphasizing health equity and preparing fellows to address global public health challenges. Over the past six years, the WE Lab has offered students transformative opportunities to conduct impactful research, build professional networks, collaborate with community partners, and develop essential advocacy skills.

The WE Lab Fellowship fosters both academic and practical growth, equipping students to emerge as skilled public health leaders. Participants in this session will gain insights into the WE Lab’s Fellowship model, learning about its successes in empowering students through hands-on experience and diverse educational activities that strengthen their competencies in health advocacy.

Detailed abstract description: This session is for those interested in an impactful educational model that trains the next generation of health educators and advocates. The WeEmbody (WE) Lab at the University of New Haven serves as a dedicated public health working group with a mission to cultivate skilled health advocates. Through the WE Lab Fellowship, students are immersed in a comprehensive program that emphasizes health equity on both local and global scales. The WE Lab has consistently provided fellows with meaningful opportunities to engage in research, build professional networks, collaborate with community partners, and develop critical advocacy skills, creating a foundation for academic and practical growth that equips students to lead in public health.

The WE Lab Fellowship draws from diverse resources to shape the activities students engage in. One notable example is the annual Advocacy Summit hosted by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) in Washington, D.C. At this summit, WE Lab Fellows are introduced to a learning environment supporting all levels of advocacy knowledge. For students new to advocacy, the summit provides foundational sessions to build confidence and equip them with essential skills to become effective advocates. More seasoned fellows benefit from advanced sessions that explore complex policy discussions and strategic advocacy tactics, refining their skills and deepening their understanding of health advocacy on a national scale.

Additionally, WE Lab Fellows engage with local legislators to organize their own advocacy events, such as Connecticut’s suicide prevention policy summit. These events empower students to connect directly with policymakers, build valuable communication skills, and make a tangible impact on their communities by addressing critical public health issues. Working side-by-side with legislators allows fellows to experience firsthand how policy and advocacy intersect, preparing them for the nuanced challenges of health advocacy and helping them see how local action can contribute to broader health equity goals.

This session will offer an in-depth look at the WE Lab Fellowship’s adaptable model, which other institutions can implement to foster similar training environments. Over the past six years, the fellowship has grown into a respected program for developing skilled advocates ready to tackle the complexities of public health. Attendees of this presentation will gain insights into the WE Lab Fellowship’s success in shaping emerging health leaders and the strategies that make it a valuable model in health education. Whether you’re an educator or an institution interested in creating a similar program, this session offers a roadmap to establishing a program that nurtures both the academic rigor and practical expertise required for impactful health advocacy.