The
University of Cincinnati Education and
Research Center (UC ERC) is administered
through the Department of Environmental
Health in the College of Medicine (http://www.eh.uc.edu).
Carol Rice, Ph.D., CIH is the ERC
Director, assisted by Tiina Reponen,
Ph.D., CIAQP as Deputy Director. The ERC
unites departments in the Colleges of
Medicine, Nursing (http://www.nursing.uc.edu/)
and Engineering (http://www.eng.uc.edu/) to
provide a rich learning environment for
the study of the generation, evaluation
and control of occupational exposures
to eliminate stressors that lead to reduced
health and capacity. The National
Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) (www.niosh.gov) has
provided funding for the ERC since 1977.
Each
academic training and service activity
is led by a program director recognized
as a specialist in his or her respective
field. Drs. Rice and Reponen work with
all of the program directors to fulfill
the overall mission of the ERC.
Of
particular importance are
interdisciplinary educational
activities for all ERC students and
faculty. During 2008-2009 off-site
experiences included visits to NIOSH in
Morgantown WV, the Mine Training Academy
in Beckley WV, Oak Ridge National
Laboratory in TN, participation with the
NY/NJ ERC on a Tour of historical sites in the
midwest,
and a workshop on Unions as a
force in improving health and safety.
During 2009-2010 ERC students will
participate in activities to increase
skills in qualitative research methods.
Design and conduct of focus groups and,
internet-based survey research and
construction of questions for two
examples. Off-site experiences
include visiting an underground coal
mine, and participation in the NY/NJ
Historical Tour of northeast industrial
sites.
The
classroom, field work and
interdisciplinary educational
opportunities away from campus provide
graduates with specialized experiences
in occupational safety and health.
Business
aspects are coordinated through the
Department of Environmental Health with
the assistance of the business officials
in the Colleges of Nursing and
Engineering.
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