London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Why Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy and Programming (Online) at LSHTM?

I’ve been passionate about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) for as long as I can remember, and I had the opportunity to start teaching sex education at my summer camp. That early experience really shaped my understanding of how critical accessible, accurate, and stigma-free information is, especially for young people.

Coming from Canada, one of the biggest challenges I faced was finding a public health-oriented programme that wasn’t a broad-stokes overview of all healthcare, there’s simply limited opportunities to study sexual and reproductive health at a master’s level. I was also specifically looking for a programme that would allow me to specialise in this area while also grounding me in broader public health skills. LSHTM stood out immediately because of its global reputation and its strong focus on SRH, policy, and implementation with its Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy & Programming couse delivered online.

I was also really drawn to the opportunity to learn alongside a diverse, international cohort. Being in a space with people working across different health systems and contexts felt like an invaluable way to deepen my understanding of global SRH challenges.

The benefits of LSTHM

Studying at LSHTM and the University of Ghana has been incredibly beneficial because the school’s pedagogy bridges theory, policy, and practice so effectively.

The programme hasn’t just taught me concepts, its challenged me to think about how they are applied in real-world settings, often in complex and resource-constrained environments.

One of the most valuable aspects has been learning alongside classmates who are professionals from all over the world. Many of my peers bring experience working in government, NGOs, clinical settings, and community organisations, which means that every discussion is enriched by a wide range of perspectives. Being able to learn not just with them, but from them, has really shaped how I think about public health and SRH in different global contexts. This diversity of experience has made my learning much more dynamic and has pushed me to think more critically, collaboratively, and globally.

My studies at LSHTM have strengthened both my technical and analytical skills, particularly in research, policy analysis, and programme design.

Combined with my background in education and digital communication, I feel well-positioned to contribute to innovative approaches in SRH, especially in areas like digital health and community-based interventions! Ultimately, I see my career moving toward work that bridges research, practice, and communication in order to improve access to SRH services.

My favourite module

My favourite module thus far has been abortion policy and programming. It was particularly impactful given the current political climate but also because it combined legal frameworks, public health data, and on-the-ground programmatic approaches. What stood out most was how instructors clearly demonstrated the gap between policy and access, and how thoughtful, evidence-based programming can help bridge that gap. It really reinforced why SRH work requires both strong policy understanding and practical implementation skills.

My MSc Project so far

For my MSc project, I’m working with HIM (Health Initiative for Men, Vancouver) on a community-based research project focused on SRH knowledge and bodily literacy among gay, bisexual, and other queer men. The project centres on understanding community needs, experiences, and gaps in access to care, with the goal of informing more responsive and inclusive programming.

This work resonates with me because it reflects the kind of public health approach I am passionate about, one that is community-driven, grounded in lived experience, and responsive to the realities of the people it serves. Through my background in sexual health education, I’ve seen how important it is to meet people where they are, and HIM’s work embodies that principle.

What motivated me to study this topic?

My motivation comes from both personal experience and the work I’ve done in the field. Teaching sex education from a young age showed me how much misinformation and stigma still exists, and how deeply that can affect people’s health outcomes.

Over time, that evolved into a broader interest in how systems, not just individuals, shape access to care. I’m particularly motivated by the idea that well designed public health policy and programming can reduce inequities and improve quality of life on a large scale.

My career

My career is still in its infancy but I’m excited to see where it takes me! For the past couple years I’ve been working in digital media and marketing, helping organisations build their online presence and communicate effectively with their audiences. This has given me a strong foundation in digital strategy, content creation, and audience engagement; these are skills I see as highly transferable to the SRH field, particularly as digital health continues to grow.

Alongside my digital work, I’ve also been involved in research, including supporting survey development with JQT (Jewish Queer Trans, Vancouver) as part of a community needs assessment. This experience has allowed me to engage more directly with data collection and community-informed research and has complemented both my academic training and my practical experience in the field.

Across all this work, I’ve been particularly interested in how communication, research, and community engagement can come together to improve access to SRH information and services.

My advice to you

Firstly, be intentional about what you want to get out of the programme. LSHTM offers so many opportunities, and it’s worth taking the time to explore areas that really align with your interests. I’d also encourage other students to lean into interdisciplinary learning; coming from a sociology background, I have found that my existing knowledge base allows me to interact with content and problem-solve in a unique way. Some of the most valuable insights come from connecting ideas across different fields so don’t underestimate the value of your own experiences. Whether you come from a clinical, academic, or community background, those perspectives are incredibly important in public health, and especially in a field like SRH.

• Discover MSc Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy and Programming (online)
• Contact our student & alumni ambassadors
• Other blogs you may be interested in:
  • I found my voice through the skills I gained from the online MSc in sexual & reproductive health - Victorine's story
  • Building sexual and reproductive health skills to serve my community: Fatoumatta's story
  • Bringing evidence to practice: how the MSc SRHPP shaped my career in sexual and reproductive health
  • From studying primates to working on sexual & reproductive health – Jiahui’s story