Public health students preparing for next pandemic

A pandemic simulation has been held at the University of Stirling to prepare public health students for the next global health crisis.

The exercise has brought cutting-edge experiential learning into the curriculum, giving Master of Public Health students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in realistic, high-pressure scenarios that mirror the complexity of scenarios such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

It comes after the UK’s Covid-19 Inquiry found that the country’s early pandemic response was “too little, too late,” leading to thousands of avoidable deaths.

Dr Agi Mcfarland, Master of Public Health on-campus course director, said: “The recent release of the Covid-19 Inquiry findings showed us that the public health workforce needs better pandemic preparedness. This learning activity allowed our students to move beyond the theory, and immerse themselves in this in-depth experiential learning activity.”

The DMS Academy Pandemic Simulation sees students assume the role of national leaders tasked with managing the spread of a deadly disease. It is the first time this simulation has been run in the UK.

Working collaboratively, they navigated difficult and often competing priorities: maintaining economic stability; protecting public health; managing political pressures; and communicating effectively with the public and international partners.

Through immersive roleplay, students gained insight into the challenges of balancing human rights, international cooperation, and unilateral decision-making during rapidly evolving emergencies.

The simulation included detailed post-simulation analytics, offering students an invaluable learning experience.

Student Chanchal Ajith Kumar Rathi said: “We had to manage budgets and reduce the number of pandemic cases happening. We really had high death rates. We didn’t have any clue what to do next. So, the lecturers came and guided us through, and it was suddenly reducing.”

Student Emma Francis added: “Obviously, the importance of vaccines, the impact it had, and watching the death rate just decrease right in front of our eyes, it almost gave a vision to how that actually does work.”

Pandemics inevitable

In today’s interconnected world, global health leaders acknowledge that new health threats will continue to emerge. While the exact pathogen, location, and timing of the next pandemic cannot be predicted, the emergence of future pandemics is considered inevitable.

The University of Stirling’s Margaret Ruddy, a nursing lecturer who is involved in delivery of the Master of Public Health course, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic and the findings of the UK inquiry have shown the importance of a competent and prepared public health workforce, and leadership in global health emergencies.

“Public health professionals need to be able to draw on their understanding of outbreak dynamics, implement containment strategies and mobilise relevant resources and personnel efficiently to protect the public and healthcare workforce.

“Pandemics can escalate quickly – it is essential that our students are trained in effective communication, interdisciplinary collaboration across professions and systems, and ethical decision-making to ensure fair and equitable access to care and resources.

“Globally, there is a recognition of the value of pandemic preparedness training in developing these skills for public health professionals, so we are pleased to partner with DMS to deliver pandemic simulation exercises.”

Practical experience

Students enrolled in Stirling’s on-campus Master of Public Health (MPH) course will experience this simulation alongside a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum designed to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and practical experience required to excel in public health practice.

The MPH combines rigorous academic modules with hands-on experiential learning. Students take part in practical placements, internships and collaborative projects, gaining real-world insights into policy development, health improvement, epidemiology, health equity and systems leadership.

They also benefit from practical workshops, guest lectures from public health practitioners and opportunities to build professional networks across health, government and third-sector organisations.

Internationally recognised

The one-year course addresses both local and global public health challenges and is validated by the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (APHEA), ensuring students receive high-quality, internationally recognised training aligned with the professional standards expected across the sector.

In addition to being taught by expert academics and experienced public health professionals, students learn directly from researchers at the Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH) – a globally recognised centre of excellence with more than 40 years of research expertise in marketing, behaviour change and public policy.

“Exposure to such a strong research environment enhances students’ understanding of evidence-based practice and strengthens their ability to influence and lead within diverse health systems,” added Margaret Ruddy. “By embedding the DMS Academy Pandemic Simulation within an already robust and accredited curriculum, the University of Stirling is reinforcing its commitment to producing graduates equipped to lead, innovate and protect population health in an increasingly complex global landscape.”