Graduate Training Program in
"Society, Biology, and Health"

Northwestern Graduate School’s Interdisciplinary Cluster Initiative recently approved funding for a “Society, Biology, and Health” graduate training program.  In conjunction with IPR's Cells to Society program, the cluster will allow graduate students to pursue a formalized course of study at the intersection of society, human biology, and health.

The cluster consists of 19 faculty affiliates and a faculty governance group representing all related departments. C2S Associate Director and IPR Faculty Fellow Thomas McDade will serve as cluster director, ensuring close interaction with C2S.

McDade sees the benefits of the cluster as widespread. "Not only will the cluster enable graduate students to more easily and collaboratively approach issues of biology, health and society, it will create a sense of community among faculty and students, and in the long term it will have a significant impact on efforts to integrate the study of biology and health with social science research,” he said.

Fellowships are awarded to second- or third-year graduate students pursuing a PhD in anthropology, economics, human development and social policy, psychology, or sociology.  Cluster fellows participate in three seminars meant to introduce key concepts, explore integrative approaches to health and biology in social science research, and enhance cross-disciplinary dialogue.  In addition, fellows can take courses taught by faculty affiliates that relate to the goals of the cluster and match individual research interests.  Fellows also plan monthly lunch meetings for students and faculty to present their work and share ideas, as well as help organize the C2S speaker series.

For more details on the cluster, click here.