Health Communication & Equity Lab
We examine inequalities in marketing, media, and message effects across diverse populations and design culturally responsive communication interventions to advance the health and well-being of health disparity populations.
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Work with us
The Health Communication and Equity Lab (HCEL), based in the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, examines inequalities in marketing, media, and message effects across diverse populations. Our research informs the design of culturally responsive communication interventions to advance the health and well-being of health disparity populations. HCEL is accepting applications for a post-doctoral fellowship to begin in summer 2023. The focus of this fellowship is on health communication strategies to address tobacco-related health disparities. The initial appointment is for one year with the possibility for renewal for a second year.
The research fellow will gain skills and expertise to be successful as an independent investigator. The research fellow will work closely with Dr. Andy Tan on NIH-funded research projects focused on culturally-tailored anti-smoking health messaging for young adult sexual minority women and anti-vaping health messaging for LGBTQ+ youth. The fellow will receive training and mentoring on utilizing mixed methods research, community engagement, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, manuscript preparation, and development of a competitive grant application. The fellowship will include relevant short courses or workshops, invited speaker series, opportunities for presenting research at scientific meetings and seminars, networking with experts, and collaborations on interdisciplinary research at Penn. Collaborators of the HCEL include faculty from the Annenberg School, UPenn-Rutgers University Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science, Penn Medicine, Penn Nursing, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Qualifications include a doctoral degree (or earning the degree by the start date) in health communication, social and behavioral science, community health, or related fields. Candidates with a track record in conducting health campaign design, formative and evaluative research using mixed methods, participatory and community-engaged approaches, health equity research, and substantive experience in sexual and gender minority health research are preferred. Strong written and presentation skills, and ability to work collaborative within a team environment are highly desired. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that are underrepresented in health-related research, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should submit their CV, three letters of reference, plus a cover letter describing their research experience and research interests to Dr. Andy Tan (Andy.Tan@asc.upenn.edu). Competitive salary, benefits and research stipend will be provided.
Applications are due by December 1, 2022.
Pursuing Health Equity
Based at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, the Health Communication & Equity Lab is employing communication science to achieve health equity for all.
Which Teens Are More Likely to Vape? Research Shows Surprising Patterns Across Race and Sexuality Groups
A new study aims to examine differences in current e-cigarette use prevalence among US youth at the intersections of sexual orientation with race and ethnicity.
The Lab on Video
Learn more about the work being done by the Health Communication & Equity Lab.
Professor Andy Tan joined researchers at Bristol Medical School in the UK to assess the effect of exposure to misinformation about e-cigarette harms found on Twitter.
We're all impacted by health messages, but we're not all impacted in the same way. In this video, Professor Andy Tan discusses his healthcare background and how his research on health communication disparities aims to mitigate discrimination against LGBTQ populations.