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 2023-2024.
Eligibility
All doctoral (PhD, ScD, or DrPH) candidates who have successfully completed their school-wide oral exams before June 21, 2024 are eligible to apply for the awards. 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 materials to Susan Hannum, PhD, CQSHM Center Coordinator.
- A proposal (1,500 words or less) that details the following:
- The research proposed or under way. 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 involved in your dissertation research.
- 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 overall dissertation project and attest to the centrality of qualitative approaches to it. Applications are due by July 8, 2024.
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, CQSHM cannot provide feedback on individual proposals.
Dissertation Grant Awardees
2024
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
Kirsty Sievwright, International Health
Rachel Presskreischer, Health Policay and Management
Sarah LaFave
Beata Debinski, Health, Behavior and Society
Michael DiStefano, Health Policy and Management
Yoona Kim, International Health
Samantha Tsang, Health, Behavior and Society
2019
Elizabeth Thomas, International Health
Soim park, International Health
Tahilin Karver, Health, Behavior and Society
Yasmin Ogale, International Health
Divya Mishra, International Health
Sarah Elaraby, International Health
Tuo-Yne Tseng, Health, Behavior and Society
2018
Katherine Merrill, International Health
Katie Heley, Health Policy and Management
Natalia Varallyay, International Health
Yonaira Rivera, Health, Behavior and Society
Erin Hunter, International Health
2017
Jimmy Le, Epidemiology
Laura Beres, International Health
Lauren Czaplicki, Health, Behavior and Society
2016
Ann Herbet, Population, Family and Reproductive Health
Anna Leddy, Health, Behavior and Society
Danielle Edwards, Health Policy and Management
Philip McNab, Health, Behavior and Society
Rachel Fabi, Health Policy and Management
Jessica Rothstein, International Health
2015
2014
2013
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