A new Academic Public Health Perspectives article, “Integrating Educator Skills into Doctoral Education in Public Health: The Need for an ASPPH Conversation,” explores how public health doctoral programs can better prepare the next generation of educators. Written by Dr. Richard Riegelman, Founding Dean of the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, on behalf of the ASPPH Doctoral Educator Skills Working Group, the article calls for greater attention to educator skills alongside research training.

Dr. Riegelman highlights rapid changes affecting teaching and learning, including generative artificial intelligence, online education, microcredentials, social media, and an evolving information landscape. Yet only a small minority of public health PhD programs currently require a core curriculum in educator skills.

The article highlights approaches already underway at several ASPPH-member institutions, including supervised teaching opportunities, mentored teaching, educator skills curricula, and teaching fellowships. It also considers how stronger educator preparation for both PhD and DrPH students could support the continued growth of undergraduate public health education.

ASPPH has approved a formal conversation throughout 2026 and 2027 to engage members and constituents and explore opportunities for a broader Doctoral Educator Skills initiative, including programming at the 2027 ASPPH Annual Meeting, a webinar, and input from ASPPH groups.