Reflections in Global Health Essay Contest
What?
An opportunity to submit an essay about your reflections in global health education and practice. This is the ninth annual CUGH Reflection Essay Contest that is co-sponsored by CUGH, Child Family Health International, University of Pittsburgh Center for Global Health and Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division.
Who?
Trainees from undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate levels and GH faculty/practitioners are eligible to submit an essay to the contest. We strongly encourage essay submission by trainees and global health practitioners/educators from low-middle income countries.
When?
Submissions are due by midnight ET on November 29, 2021. Decisions on winners and runner-ups will be announced on
December 23, 2021. A select group of winners will be invited to read their essays at the 2022 CUGH Annual Virtual Conference. Additional essays will be invited to submit for publication in “Reflection and Global Health: An Anthology.”
How?
Email essay submission with the structure and information in the instructions below to cughessay@cfhi.org. To learn more about how to write a reflective essay, additional resources can be found here.
Reflection is a powerful tool in global health education and practice. All current undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate trainees as well as GH practitioners are invited to submit essays to reflect upon the meaning and lessons learned from global health experiences. These may be in a research, educational, clinical, or service capacity. The impacts of these experiences on professional development and personal growth are revealed in new partnerships, insights into cross-cultural or ethical issues and ideas for change.
Click here for writing prompts: RFLCT: A Rubric for Reflection at Stritch
Click here to see essays previously selected for the reflection in Global Health Anthology.
More information
Requirements for Essays
The essay must be written while the applicant fits into one of the three contest categories described below, must be the work of a single author, and must represent original work. Essays must not have been previously published in print or electronic format.
Entries must be in English, at least 11 point font, doubled-spaced, and must not exceed 1,000 words.
Essay should be written in Microsoft or OpenOffice document.
Do not put your name or any other identifying information in the document. Mention of any individuals or institutions in the document should conform to anonymity standards to ensure privacy.
Include the title of your essay on all pages of your word document submission.
Only ONE submission per person.
Essays not meeting all requirements will be disqualified from the contest.
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be judged in three separate categories:
trainees (post secondary to post graduate levels),
practitioner/faculty, and
Trainees from low-middle income countries
Each essay is reviewed by two judges and scored on four criteria— originality/theme, composition, critical reflection, and impact on readers/learners. The essay should reflect your personal experience and not a general commentary or research paper. A third judge is asked to review the essay if there is a significant difference in the scores by the two judges. Authors will be anonymous to the judges. The finalists will be selected by members of CUGH's Essay and Education Committees. Essay finalists will be notified by December 23, 2021.
Prizes
A waiver of the CUGH 2022 conference registration fee will be awarded to the three winners. The winners and honorable mentions will be selected for a special reading and recognition session at the conference. The three winners will also receive a monetary prize.
How to submit
Send an email (including the below information) with your essay as an attachment to cughessay@cfhi.org.
Please include the following information in the body of your email:
First Name then Last Name
Title of Essay
Word count
Address
Phone Number
Email Address (reachable even after graduation)
School/Sponsoring Institution/Training Program where enrolled or affiliated
Degree Program (if applicable)
Indicate category of submission (IMPORTANT!)
a. Trainees (undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate levels). Anticipated year of graduation
b. Practitioner/faculty. Please indicate years in practice and area of expertise
c. Trainees from low-middle income countries
More information: Contact: buithuy@pitt.edu or jevert@fcm.ucsf.edu
This contest is co-sponsored by Consortium for Universities in Global Health, Child Family Health International, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, and the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Global Health.