USN has contributed to global health through interdisciplinary research, education, and long-term international partnerships, with a strong emphasis on capacity building and equitable collaboration. Key initiatives include strengthening global health education in partnership with institutions in Moldova, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania and India.
Research, development of educational programmes and strengthening ties across academic institutions are advanced through projects such as the NOREC-funded Eye Education Foreign Exchanges Project (EYE-FX) in collaboration with the Brien Holden Vision Institute South Africa and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kenya, as well as the Norwegian-funded Health Education in India and Norway (HEIN) project. These initiatives combine research, education and mobility while strengthening global competencies, addressing health inequities and building knowledge across partner institutions. The faculty is also an active member of the Global Health Consortium, an alliance of nine academic institutions committed to collaborative global health education and research.
Main research themes and projects
USN’s global health research takes a broad relational and interdisciplinary approach, recognising the interconnectedness of human, environmental and societal health, while also drawing on One Health perspectives where relevant. Core themes include infection prevention and control, hygiene, optometry, environmental health, women’s, family and child health, and health promotion through sustainable and nature-based approaches.
Examples of research and international collaboration include:
- Research linked to the EU-funded GO GREEN ROUTES project explores how nature-based solutions can improve mental health and wellbeing in urban settings.
- The EU-funded HEALTH SAILING project (2022–2026) develops evidence-based strategies for infectious disease prevention and preparedness in the passenger shipping industry.
- OCULUS, an Erasmus+ project, strengthened optometry education through curriculum development, evidence-based practice, and cultural competence across partners in Europe, Israel and India.
- Research collaborations with African partner institutions address women’s, family and child health and contribute to locally relevant knowledge development and research capacity.
Partnerships, capacity strengthening and equity
USN’s Global Health work is characterized by mutual knowledge exchange and a strong commitment to sustainable and locally relevant solutions across diverse geographical, cultural and institutional contexts. A distinguishing feature of USN’s approach is its strong integration of education, research and capacity-building in long-term equitable partnerships.
Looking forward
USN aims to further strengthen interdisciplinary global health research and expand equitable international partnerships addressing emerging global challenges.