Dissertation Awards
The Center for Qualitative Studies in Health and Medicine (CQSHM) Dissertation Enhancement Award supports dissertation projects that use ethnographic or other qualitative methodologies and approaches.
The award is one way the CQSHM promotes innovative and high-quality qualitative work at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The award recognizes that conducting research using these methodologies involves a considerable time investment. The award is designed to enhance students’ ability to conduct rigorous research and is a supplement to any current sources of support.
In this round, the Center will award approximately 2 research grants of $2,000 each for studies conducted in 2025-2026.
Eligibility
All doctoral (PhD, ScD, or DrPH) candidates who have successfully completed their school-wide oral exams before January 17, 2025 are eligible to apply for the awards. The student’s advisor must be aware of and in support of the application.
To be competitive, students should have taken at least one (and preferably more) qualitative research courses at Johns Hopkins and be planning or conducting dissertation research that relies on extensive use of qualitative methods. Students whose dissertation research is primarily quantitative will not be considered for this award. Mixed methods studies must contain a considerable component of qualitative research, and the funds requested should align with this aspect of the work.
Use of Award Funds
Funds may be used to cover the costs of fieldwork, equipment, participant reimbursements, and most other research-related expenses. Awards will be made as a payment to the student awardee; it is not possible for awards to be made on a cost-reimbursement basis. There may be tax implications of receipt of such an award, and if it is not possible/advantageous for a student to accept such a payment, this may be a reason not to apply for this award.
Grant Recipient Requirements
In accepting an award, the student agrees to:
- Present the research to CQSHM faculty affiliates and other interested members of the University community prior to their dissertation defense;
- Acknowledge CQSHM support in their dissertation and in publications resulting from the work;
- Send the CQSHM copies of any papers or publications resulting from the supported work; and
- Provide a brief summary of how the funds were used at the end of the award period.
Application Process
To be considered for an award, please submit the following:
A proposal (1,500 words or less) that details the following:
- The research proposed or underway; include a clear description of your research questions and methods
- A statement about how the award would enhance your ability to carry out the project
- A description of any methodological innovation
- A detailed budget of how funds will be used to support the dissertation research
All applicants should also provide a complete JHSPH transcript (unofficial is acceptable) and a letter of recommendation from their advisor. The letter should comment on the advisor’s support for the application and overall dissertation project and attest to the centrality of qualitative or ethnographic approaches to it.
The application should be submitted to Dr. Susan Hannum at shannum1@jhu.edu.
All materials are due by 5:00pm on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Review Process
Proposals will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee of CQSHM faculty affiliates. Applications will be judged on the following criteria:
- The overall quality of the proposed project, including innovation and creativity in the study questions and design, and rigorous application of qualitative or ethnographic methods.
- The ability of the student to carry out high quality research, to be assessed on the basis of the student’s training (including coursework), experience, academic performance, and the feasibility of the proposed project.
- Evidence that the funds would enhance the student’s work.
Unfortunately, the CQSHM cannot provide feedback on individual proposals.
Applicants will be informed of funding decisions by approximately the end of February, 2025.
Dissertation Grant Awardees
2024
Laura Mata Lopez, School of Nursing
Shannon Fuller, Health, Behavior and Society
Rose Pollard Kaptchuk, International Health
Anna Batchelder, School of Nursing: Community Building in Group Antenatal Care in Blantyre, Malawi
Sara Soloman, Health Policy and Management: A Community-Engaged, Equity-Centered Adaptation of the Cure Violence Model in Southwest Philadelphia
Victoria Green, Mental Health: Characterizing the impact of Maryland psychiatric rehabilitation program environments on community integration among adults with serious mental illness: A multi-site case study approach
2023
Arman Majidulla, International Health: What about the community? Examining cleaner cookstove research in the Peruvian Andes
Molly Sauer, International Health: Exploring Maternal Immunization Decision-making, Demand, and Readiness in Advance of Future Vaccines in Pregnancy
Tara Maudrie, International Health: Nourishment through Cultural Values: Developing a Culturally Driven Approach to Nutrition for Urban American Indian/Alaska Native Communities
Rachel Topazian, Health Policy and Management: Data privacy perspectives in the fire service
Ashley Truong, Mental Health: Exploring experiences of drug use among people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Baltimore City: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Deja Knight, International Health: Investigating structural, community, relationship, and individual correlates to PrEP awareness, interest, and preferences among Black cisgender women in Baltimore, Maryland
Emily Hoppe, School of Nursing: Parents’ Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences and Their Parenting Practices in the Context of Neighborhood Safety
Kathryn Spielman, International Health: Breastfeeding support and maternal breastfeeding decision-making and practices in Yucatan, Mexico
2022
Abigail Winiker, Health, Behavior and Society: Multi-Level Sources of Coping and Resilience Among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) in Baltimore, MD: A Qualitative Study and Framework Development
Carolyn Ellison, Health, Behavior and Society: Exploring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation Stigma in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dominique Guillaume, School of Nursing: Evaluating the influence of risk perception and cultural worldviews on HPV vaccination intention among Haitian immigrant women living with HIV
Evan Eschlimab, Health, Behavior and Society: Investigating Redditors’ perceptions and experiences of structural stigma toward people who use opioids: A qualitative social media analysis
Kathleen Ridgeway, International Health: Emotion regulation, ART adherence, and virologic status among adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Zambia
Erin Cooney, International Health: Pre-exposure prophylaxis engagement among transgender women in the United States
2021
Abigail Baum, Health Policy and Management: Citizen Participation in Determining Public Safety Policy: Understanding the degree and effect of participatory governance in recent police reform efforts
Greg Rosen, International Health: Longitudinal viral load trajectories and dynamics among people living with HIV in Rakai, Uganda: A Mixed Methods Study
Debbie Wilson, School of Nursing: Enhancing caregivers and children's well-being through an evidence-based and culturally informed prevention intervention
Kaitlyn Harper, International Health: Diet quality and food-related behaviors in US adolescents experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic
Laura Kroart, Health, Behavior and Society: Examining context of opioid use experiences, impact of services, and overdose risk among rural women on the Eastern Shore of Maryland
Kaitlyn Atkins, International Health: Intersectional Stigma and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Continuation among Key Populations in Namibia
Holly Nishimura, International Health: Transactional sex and HIV incidence among men in Rakai, Uganda
Amelia Noor-Oshiro, Health, Behavior and Society: Intersectional Stigma, Belongingness, and Suicide: A Novel Approach for Minority Mental Health
2020
John Mark Wiginton, Health, Behavior and Society: Posttraumatic Stress and HIV Risk among Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who have Sex with Men
Kirsty Sievwright, International Health: Examining family and household factors related to HIV self-management among adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Ndola, Zambia
Rachel Presskreischer, Health Policy and Management
Beata Debinski, Health, Behavior and Society: Applying Organizational Theory to Assess Intimate Partner Violence Prevention and Response in the Catholic Church: A Case Study of the Archdiocese of Chicago Domestic Violence Outreach Ministry
Michael DiStefano, Health Policy and Management
Yoona Kim, International Health
Samantha Tsang, Health, Behavior and Society
2019
Elizabeth Thomas, International Health: Piloting sustainable and scalable strategies to separate young children from poultry and poultry feces
Soim park, International Health: Experiences of Social Support and Mental Health among Adult North Korean Refugees
Tahilin Karver, Health, Behavior and Society: Exploring the role of quality of care and peer navigation on HIV treatment and care outcomes among vulnerable women in the Dominican Republic
Yasmin Ogale, International Health: Improving and Expanding STI Diagnosis in a Low-resource Setting: Understanding Treatment Seeking Behavior and the Acceptability of Self-collected Samples for STI Testing Among Adults in Rakai, Uganda
Divya Mishra, International Health
Sarah Elaraby, International Health: Ecocultural Perspectives on Problematic Child Behavior: An Exploratory Qualitative Study in the Context of Urban Poverty in Egypt
Tuo-Yen Tseng, Health, Behavior and Society
2018
Katherine Merrill, International Health: Violence victimization and HIV care and treatment practices among HIV-positive youth in Ndola, Zambia
Katie Heley, Health Policy and Management: Smokeless tobacco use, problematic opioid use, and serious mental illness and violence
Natalia Varallyay, International Health
Yonaira Rivera, Health, Behavior and Society: Identifying ways to effectively reach and educate Latinos on how cancer prevention and screening can reduce cancer health disparities
Erin Hunter, International Health: Bangladeshi schoolgirls’ self-efficacy in effectively managing menstrual hygiene
2017
Jimmy Le, Epidemiology: A Patient-Centered Approach for Identifying Outcomes for Glaucoma Trials
Laura Beres, International Health: Patterns and Factors Influencing Return to Care among Patients Living with HIV in Zambia
Lauren Czaplicki, Health, Behavior and Society: A case study of the development and implementation of a menthol cigarette ban in retail stores within 500 feet of secondary schools
2016
Ann Herbet, Population, Family and Reproductive Health: The Growing Girls Project
Anna Leddy, Health, Behavior and Society: Gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV risk among female sex workers (FSW) in Iringa, Tanzania
Danielle Edwards, Health Policy and Management: Factors Affecting Menu Development and the Effectiveness and Ethical Considerations of ‘Nudge’ Techniques Designed to Encouraging Meatless Eating in Rural Restaurants.
Philip McNab, Health, Behavior and Society
Rachel Fabi, Health Policy and Management
Jessica Rothstein, International Health
2015 - 2016
Azal Ahmadi, International Health: Migration and HIV medication adherence among HIV-positive female sex workers in Senegal
Bob Vollinger, Health, Behavior and Society: Assessing Attitudes and Beliefs regarding Developing and Implementing Policy to Reduce Secondhand Smoke in Multi-Unit Housing in Montgomery County, Maryland
Karina Christiansen, Health Policy and Management: Reframing "Food Deserts": The History of Urban Supermarket Access and Its Public Policy Discourse
Kwame Sakyi, International Health: Experiences in HIV Care in The Postpartum Period in Ghana: The Role of Stigma, Birthweight, and Newborn Care
Leila Jamal, Health Policy and Management: Exploring Parental Involvement in Research for Rare Pediatric Conditions
Meike Schleiff, International Health: A Team-based Assessment of the Appropriateness and Role for Community Health Workers in Rural West Virginia
Radha Rajan, Health, Behavior and Society: Understanding “Engagement” and Factors Influencing Use of the SKATA Mobile Application for Family Planning in Indonesia
Sharon Tsui, International Health
Zoe Hendrickson, Health, Behavior and Society: Exploring the intersection of household gender dynamics, labor migration, and family planning in Nepal
2013 - 2014
Ginny Fonner, International Health: Triaging and Incentivizing Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) for HIV Prevention in Rural Tanzania: Assessing Participants’ Experience
Molly Simmons, Health Policy and Management
Nasreen Jessani, International Health: Exploring the dual role of academic faculty in bridging the evidence to policy divide in Kenya
Sarah Beckham, Population, Family and Reproductive Health: "Like any other woman"? Pregnancy, motherhood, and HIV among sex workers in southern Tanzania
Simran Sabherwal, Population, Family and Reproductive Health: An Exploration of Son Preference and the Treatment of Daughters among Punjabi Sikhs in Northern California
2012
Elizabeth Rhoades, International Health: The hopi people and drought: observations, adaptations, and stewardship in a sacred land
CQSHM Mailing List
Please contact Susan Hannum, the CQSHM center coordinator, to be added to the list.