The University of Kentucky College of Public Health has launched the Big Blue Public Health Illumination seminar series, a new initiative designed to spark collaboration, highlight innovative research, and tackle some of the most pressing health challenges facing Kentucky. Serving as a dynamic forum for dialogue, the series will unite health experts and community members in a shared effort to improve the well-being of people across the Commonwealth.
“This series is designed to create dedicated moments for us to come together as a community under the public health umbrella,” said College of Public Health Dean Heather Bush. “It's an opportunity to share cutting-edge science, discuss innovative practices, and engage in critical conversations about the most pressing public health challenges facing Kentucky. Too often, we work in silos, and this series provides a crucial platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and for fostering a deeper sense of shared purpose among everyone in our college and our partners across the state.
“It's about remembering that public health isn't just a collection of specialties; it's a unified effort to improve the well-being of all Kentuckians.”
Dean Bush said the seminar series was inspired by the enthusiasm surrounding the Public Health Showcase. She said the goal is to establish a regular forum where students, faculty, and community members can come together to reflect on public health—both as an discipline and as a real-world practice.
The seminars will be held nearly every month with both an in-person and Zoom option. Dean Bush said the hybrid approach is to reach as many people as possible and extend the invitation to individuals across Kentucky and beyond.
“By opening these seminars to the public, we empower individuals, community leaders, and local public health practitioners with knowledge and actionable insights,” she said. “It fosters a more informed public discourse around health and encourages collaborative efforts to improve well-being across the Commonwealth. This isn't just a university event; it's a community resource.”
The Big Blue Illumination seminar series is designed with both our students and the broader Kentucky community in mind.
Dean Bush said for public health students, it offers a new opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“They'll gain exposure to the forefront of public health science and real-world solutions directly from leading experts,” she said. “This isn't just about learning concepts; it's about seeing public health as a living, evolving field with immense impact. It will broaden their horizons, spark new research interests, and help them envision their own future contributions to making Kentucky healthier.”
In addition, Dean Bush said there will be networking opportunities for students by connecting them with practitioners and researchers who are actively shaping public health in the state and beyond.
For the greater community, Dean Bush said the series is part of meeting the University of Kentucky’s land-grant mission.
“It's about highlighting and spotlighting expertise and research capabilities,” she said. “We want to 'illuminate' both the critical public health issues and, more importantly, we want to 'illuminate' the evidence-based solutions and innovative strategies that are being developed to address these issues.”
Speakers will not only leaders in their respective fields but also deeply connected to the health issues affecting Kentucky and the surrounding region. The series will showcase a wide range of perspectives, including academic researchers presenting groundbreaking studies, experienced public health professionals sharing real-world successes, community leaders highlighting grassroots efforts, and policymakers shaping health outcomes at the state level.
“We are committed to featuring speakers who can present complex scientific information in an accessible way, making it valuable for both our academic audience and champions of public health,” said Dean Bush.
The Big Blue Public Health Illumination seminar series kicks off Aug. 6 with “Public Health Today in Kentucky,” which features insights from public health leaders who are actively shaping the field. The series continues in September with a session exploring the history of public health in Kentucky.
Register for the series here
