IDEA Exchange: Finding Your Place in Public Health

In Episode 10 of ASPPH's IDEA Exchange Podcast, host Miranda Bosse speaks with Dr. Clarion Harris, PhD, MA, a public health scholar, educator, and researcher, about professional identity, mentorship, belonging, and the many ways a career in public health can evolve. Dr. Harris reflects on her journey from the University of Memphis to becoming the first postdoctoral fellow in Prairie View A&M University's School of Public and Allied Health.

Dr. Harris shares how an unexpected introduction to public health led to a career focused on the social and structural factors that shape the health and well-being of children, families, and communities. She also discusses the mentors and hands-on experiences that influenced her development, including her involvement in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Transforming Academia for Equity initiative.

Now navigating the space between student, scholar, mentor, and educator, Dr. Harris reflects on professional growth as an ongoing process. She discusses how humility, authenticity, and recognizing the lived expertise of students and communities can strengthen public health education and practice. Her advice for students and emerging professionals is equally valuable: give yourself grace, take your time, and remain open to where your experiences may lead.

Listen to Episode 10, "Becoming Public Health: Identity, Growth, and Finding Your Place" with Dr. Clarion Harris, to hear more about finding purpose and continuing to grow throughout a career in public health.