Social Movements and Public Health in South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
Why you should go
Social movements have played a vital role in public health research and outcomes in South Africa, from the protests to end apartheid to the work of the Treatment Action Campaign which began as a grassroots movement to demand access to lifesaving HIV/AIDS medication and continues to demand comprehensive healthcare as a human right for all South Africans. In Johannesburg, students will be able to visit the Apartheid Museum, which lays out the history of civil rights activism and protest movements in the country. Similarly, Constitution Hill is a former prison and military fort where Nelson Mandela, Winne Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi, Joe Slovo, among thousands of others were once incarcerated. Together, both sites lay crucial groundwork to understand the origin of racial and economic inequality in the country, and how these currently impact public health. It also provides an important framework to help students understand the degree to which protests, strikes, and civil disobedience are deeply interwoven into the national psyche.
Courses
- PH 91GS: Social Movements and Public Health (draft PDF)
- PH 151GS: Public Health Research Ethics (draft PDF)
Faculty Leader
Rebecca Fielding-Millerrfieldingmiller@health.ucsd.edu
Rebecca Fielding-Miller is an Associate Professor in the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science. Her research interests include structural drivers of global health inequalities, community engagement, and participatory research. Her journey to public health began as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural South Africa, where she truly understood for the first time how how gender, history, and economic inequality profoundly shape people’s health and lives. She also served as a Fulbright Fellow in Eswatini to complete her dissertation research on HIV and gender-based violence.
Who should go
The seminar will provide public health majors with upper and lower division course credit towards graduation, supporting their ability to graduate in a timely fashion. Students will be required to have completed PH 40: Introduction to Public Health with a passing grade before the beginning of summer session 1. Consult your academic advisor (college or major) to officially determine how the courses will apply to your graduation requirements.
Information Sessions
- General (choose one):
- Tuesday, Sept. 30, 3:00 - 4:00 pm (Zoom)
- Tuesday, Oct. 28, 3:30-4:30 pm (in-person)
- Program-specific: Wednesday, November 12th, noon - 1 PM
- Register here for the live Zoom link, and/or to get the post-session recording.
Dates
| Departure from U.S.: | Sat., June 27, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Arrival: | Sun., June 28, 2026 |
| Mandatory Orientation: | Mon., June 29, 2026 |
| First Day of Class: | Tues., June 30, 2026 |
| Last Day of Class: | Fri., July 31, 2026 |
| Departure for the U.S. (or personal travel): |
Sat., August 1, 2026 |
Flight Information
- You will be responsible for purchasing your own airplane tickets, and your program coordinator will provide guidelines and resources during the pre-departure process to help you find an appropriate flight.
- Do not purchase plane tickets until the program is confirmed. All approved applicants will be notified by e-mail when the program has reached minimum enrollment.
Global Seminar Fees
All fees subject to change. See https://summersession.ucsd.edu/tuition/tuition.html for current tuition and campus-based fees.
| UCSD | Other UC | Non-UC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fee: (includes $500 administrative fee) |
TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Estimated Tuition and Campus-Based Fees: |
$2,520.49 | $2,570.49 | $3,580.49 |
| Total: (not including airfare or personal expenses) |
TBA | TBA | TBA |
Budget Calculator
- Coming soon!
Funding Options
See the funding options page to learn how financial aid and scholarships can help you pay for this program.
Local Site Visits
- South African apartheid museum
- Constitution Hill
- Hector Pieterson Museum
- Soweto tour
- South African Medical Research Council
- Sexual Violence Research Initiative
Overnight Excursions
- Witswatersrand rural research facility in Bushbuckridge (2 nights)
- The site is home to numerous key HIV studies, including work with traditional healers to increase healthcare access, and several participatory action studies to identify community-led strategies to reduce HIV incidence and increase access to care. As a university campus, the WRF also has a strong infrastructure to support visiting scholars, including classroom space and group accommodations.
- Vuvulane community development initiative in Eswatini (2 nights)
- Eswatini has the highest HIV prevalence in the world – approximately 1 in 4 Swazis are living with the virus. Vuvulane is a rural village, and the home of artist, activist, and social entrepreneur Khulekani Msweli. The Msweli family has invested in the community to support HIV orphans and vulnerable children while developing eco-friendly housing and regenerative agricultural practices for sustainability. Students will have the opportunity for genuine conversations about the role of art, activism, and community building to address the multigenerational impact of HIV in rural Eswatini.
- University of Eswatini in Kwaluseni (1 night)
- At UNESWA, we will discuss the role of research as a catalyst for change, including the development and implementation of a new sexual violence policy and the generation of student led activism to address violence and harassment on campus.
Excursions are subject to change without prior notice. No refunds are possible.
Housing
- Hotel-style (TBA)
- 2 students per room
- Private bathroom
- Ammenities include: Wi-Fi, study areas, air conditioning, laundry access, and utilities
- Housing arrangements are subject to change based on local circumstances without prior notice. No price adjustments are possible.
Included Meals
- Welcome dinner upon arrival
- Farewell dinner at end of program
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- 4 additional dinners during excursions
Classroom and Computer Access
- The Capital Empire Sandton
- Wireless access may be intermittent due to local conditions. No refunds or price adjustments are possible.
Transportation
- Classroom is within walking distance. No transit pass needed.
- For all excursions and transfers, private coach buses are included.
Phones
- Information about how to obtain a local SIM card will be provided at the pre-departure orientation.
- Students will be responsible to purchase their own calling time/minutes.
Insurance, Health, and Safety
- Comprehensive insurance package through CISI Insurance.
- An in-depth orientation will be given on the morning after arrival, including health and safety procedures.
- Program partner staff will be available by telephone after hours.
- All students will also be registered with UC travel insurance. This is free coverage, but registration is required prior to departure.
