Curriculum asset mapping for One Health education

Area of Science:

• One Health
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Higher Education

Background:

• Academic specialization creates silos, hindering collaboration essential for One Health.
• Addressing complex health issues requires integrating human, animal, and ecosystem health perspectives.
• Existing university structures often lack mechanisms for interdisciplinary resource identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a systematic method for mapping university assets to advance One Health education.
• To identify courses, programs, and faculty expertise relevant to One Health challenges.
• To create a searchable database of university resources for interdisciplinary One Health initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Defined 'asset' as relevant courses, programs, or faculty expertise.
• Selected a specific problem (e.g., Emerging Infectious Diseases - EIDs) for focus.
• Identified pertinent disciplinary teaching areas and required graduate competencies.
• Surveyed faculty on their contributions to identified competencies.
• Compiled data into a searchable asset-mapping database.

Main Results:

• Successfully mapped university assets at Tufts University relevant to EIDs, focusing on zoonotic disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and response.
• Identified previously untapped resources across disciplines using 13 teaching areas and 16 applied epidemiology competencies.
• Demonstrated the utility of asset mapping in uncovering interdisciplinary educational opportunities.

Conclusions:

• Asset mapping is an effective tool for identifying and leveraging university resources for One Health education.
• This systematic approach can break down academic barriers and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
• The developed methodology provides a framework for other institutions to advance One Health initiatives.