The adventure begins...

So, the moment has finally arrived. After a year of planning and anticipation, I'm sitting at Heathrow, about to board a plane to Washington, DC. This marks the beginning of what will undoubtedly be a life-changing experience as a Harkness Fellow. My goal is to document the entire journey—the highs, the lows, and everything in between—and share it with anyone who might be interested.

I’m one of 12 newly selected Harkness Fellows headed to the USA for a year, where we'll work with mentors and host institutions on critical health policy projects. We’ll be based across the country—from coast to coast, even as far as Hawaii—but we'll reunite periodically to exchange our experiences and engage with US leaders. The program is funded and led by the Commonwealth Fund, and applications for the 2025 cohort are now open. I would be more than happy to speak to anyone interested in applying.

I'll be based at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, under the expert guidance of Professor Joshua Sharfstein. My project will focus on addressing chronic absenteeism from school as a public health issue, with additional mentorship from Professor Robert Kahn in Cincinnati. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and extended school closures on children and young people cannot be overstated. While many have shown remarkable resilience, significant challenges are emerging from both health and educational perspectives. These include declining vaccination rates, increasing concerns about mental health, rising levels of chronic absenteeism, and a growing prevalence of obesity. Perhaps most concerning is the widening inequality in outcomes across different populations and groups within society. Building a case for investing in our future generations feels more urgent than ever, and this will be a key insight I hope to bring back home.

Beyond the project itself, I’m eager to immerse myself in the No1. School of Public Health in the world and to learn more about public health leadership, structures, and systems in the US. Anyone who knows me knows I have a keen interest in governance and the relationship between local and national policies. I was particularly intrigued by a recent article on the avian flu response in the US, co-authored by my new mentor, Josh Sharfstein, which emphasized the need for a locally-led public health response. I look forward to diving deeper into this subject.

Of course, I can’t ignore the upcoming Presidential election. My podcast feed is now almost entirely American political shows (special shoutout to "Pod Save America"), and I’m already receiving orders for childless cat lady merchandise from fellow enthusiasts. On a serious note, this election holds significant implications for health, democracy, and international relations, and I plan to absorb as much as I can. I’ve already booked my first live podcast recording in Philadelphia for October and hope to attend at least one rally while I’m there.

For the next 12 months, I’ll be moving my life to Baltimore. I’ve secured a traditional row home in the Fells Point district and am looking forward to swapping my Bristol harbourside runs for runs around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. My new landlords have already scored major points by getting me an electric kettle in anticipation of my tea habit and have been incredibly welcoming overall. I’ve got a list of local places to explore, running clubs to join, and a gym recommendation to follow up on. After weeks of following local businesses on Instagram, I can’t wait to try them out in person—this blog might just turn into a Baltimore food and drink diary!

I thought I might be more nervous sitting here at the airport, but honestly, I feel ready. I finished work at the end of July, which gave me time to decompress, regain perspective, and spend quality time with friends and family. My house is packed, my belongings are in storage, my trusty car has been sold, and I’ve said countless goodbyes. I’m incredibly grateful for the generosity and support of everyone who has helped me take this opportunity. Whether it was listening to my initial ideas, reading my application, allowing me a break from work, or helping me try out all the restaurants in Bristol before I leave—thank you to everyone who played a part.

In return, I promise to make the most of every opportunity this year. #TheYearOfSayingYes