Public Health Council

The Public Health Council is a university-wide body tasked with advancing successful engagement and interdisciplinary education in public health across the University. The Council implements the public health strategy summarized in the Public Health Taskforce document—Shaping the Future of Public Health Education at Tufts The Taskforce Strategy outlined an innovative network-based model ELEPHANT (Experiential Learning Public Health Network at Tufts) that builds upon established strengths across the Tufts schools to create new opportunities for scalable, agile, interdisciplinary public health programs. 

The primary objective of the Public Health Council for the 2026-2027 academic year is to foster interdisciplinary public health education and practice across the Tufts schools in the following ways: 

• Identify and grow opportunities for cross-school educational programming, such as new degrees and credentials, as well as non-traditional learning opportunities focused on interdisciplinary, experiential public health. 
• Using a competitive Springboard application process, select public health education projects to financially support that align with the vision and mission of ELEPHANT. 
• Invite speakers and host events that bring cross-school faculty and experts together around the theme of interdisciplinary public health, including Public Health Week. 
• Advise the Provost’s office on the approval of new educational programming in public health to ensure continued alignment and collaboration across the institution. 
• Support the growth of a Public Health Network with a goal of building an active, interconnected community of university members, alumni, and global partners who share expertise, contribute to content groups, and engage directly with students to enhance their learning and career development.