The Occupational Safety and Health Education and Evaluation (OSHEE) Core addresses a critical gap in preparing professionals who can translate OSH research into effective education and evaluate its application in workplace settings. Those responsible for OSH training and evaluation often enter these roles without formal preparation in adult learning, evaluative methods, or research translation. As workplace hazards and workforce needs evolve, skilled professionals are needed to identify regional priorities, develop culturally appropriate and audience-focused education, and assess whether programs and interventions improve worker safety, health, and well-being. By integrating graduate preparation in education and evaluation, the OSHEE Core will prepare professionals to connect research and practice, support evidence-based decisions, and strengthen OSH initiatives across Central Appalachia and beyond.

Students first must be admitted to the Master's in Educational Research Methods and Policy (apply here and indicate interest in the OSHEE core). Students’ graduate school applications and personal interviews with OSHEE Core faculty are used to determine acceptance into our program. Trainees are provided tuition, a monthly stipend, and health insurance if needed. Trainees are also provided financial support for their research and funding for travel to conferences and professional meetings to present their work.

Interested students may direct questions and inquiries to Dr. Shannon Sampson at shannon.sampson@uky.edu..

The Occupational Safety and Health Education and Evaluation (OSHEE) Core creates a new academic training opportunity focused on preparing scholars to serve as evaluators and education leaders in occupational safety and health.

This program is housed in the College of Education Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation. Participating students will earn a Master's in Educational Research Methods and Policy with specialized training in occupational safety and health education and evaluation. The program is online and primarily asynchronous, with opportunities for meaningful interaction with faculty and peers. Students are expected to attend one in-person field studies trip during the UK Spring Break. The cost of that trip is covered as part of the program.

OSHEE students will learn to:

a) analyze injury and fatality data to identify education needs,

b) conduct participatory evaluations of current controls,

c) collaborate with researchers and practitioners on new programs

d) facilitate audience-appropriate educational opportunities, and

e)  evaluate implementation outcomes.

• All students in the OSHEE core will take the Seminar in Designing and Evaluating Educational Programs, Interventions, and Policies in Occupational Safety and Health (EPE 773, 3 credit hours). This course focuses on the art of designing and facilitating educational opportunities, emphasizing the importance of building OSH education and outreach strategies based on evaluative feedback, stakeholder engagement, and community participatory engagement. It includes an introduction to NIOSH research and evaluation models, such as the K2A framework. Through collaboration with community and industry partners, the course explores the unique hazards affecting worker health, safety, and productivity, alongside the necessary educational interventions, relevant policies, and emerging issues.

  OSHEE Core trainees must also complete two[SS1]  required CARERC interdisciplinary courses and a proseminar course. These courses will serve as electives for students in the Educational Research Methods and Policy masters degree program. They are:

• Occupational and Environmental Health (BAE 620, 3 credit hours): Offered each spring semester, this course combines industrial hygiene hazard evaluation and control assessment with occupational medicine. The curriculum is a comprehensive 48-hour program taught by faculty from various CARERC disciplines. The first half focuses on hazard and exposure assessment, preparing students for evaluating workplace hazards and assessing control measures. The second half, post-spring break, focuses on occupational medicine. [SS2] 

• Occupational Health Field Surveys (CPH 698, 3 credit hours): CARERC organizes an intensive one-week Occupational Health Field Survey course during each spring break. This course involves visits to various industries to observe production processes, evaluate health and safety hazards, and assess control measures. Students work in interdisciplinary teams to complete hazard assessments and present their findings during the final ProSeminar meeting of the academic year.

• ProSeminar in Occupational Safety and Health (CPH 716, 1 credit hour): All students are required to enroll in four semesters (with only one semester for credit) of the ProSeminar in Occupational Safety and Health. This course offers a platform for faculty, staff, guest lecturers, and students to share insights and knowledge through various formats, including research presentations, discussions with visiting scientists, study design planning conferences, journal club sessions, laboratory demonstrations, or visits to local industries. For more details, please refer to the syllabus in Appendix Overall-3.

All OSHEE students will complete a capstone evaluation project. Over the course of the semester, they will also take a master’s examination including a professional writing and reflective assignment, as well as a week-long question-oriented component.

Although OSHEE is a new core, it is anchored in an existing program that includes a master’s degree and a graduate certificate. Many of the graduates of the ERMP Master’s go on to pursue a PhD. However, there is a solid track record of placements of graduates working in professional positions. Examples of employment of ERMP master’s graduates include a program coordinator and evaluator with the Community Refugee and Immigration Services, the Director of Accreditation and Assessment at the UK College of Pharmacy, and the Research Development Director at the Center for Clinical and Translational Science at UK. Thus, our graduates are already serving in roles like those in an occupational safety and health education or evaluation; this program will increase their career possibilities and equip them specifically for work in occupational safety and health education and evaluation.