Master of Public Health

Students will be required to critically self-reflect applying theories and practice skills to personal lived experience and history and use this knowledge to develop a cohesive self-care plan suitable to future industry practice.

Students will examine how different types of relationships both personal and professional can be enhanced through more effective communication. This subject concludes with a discussion of power in interpersonal relationships, and how and when confidentially and the therapeutic responsibility to exercise ‘duty of care’ might conflict

Students will demonstrate micro-skills, attending and communication process skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, nuanced listening and reflecting skills, and the use and abuse of questions.

The subject provides an opportunity for students to explore how theories of attachment, cognitive and social development explain human development across the lifespan with particular reference to the effects of trauma. The influences of biology, gender, culture, ethnicity and socio‐political contexts in these development periods will also be investigated.

Students will demonstrate a critical understanding of emotional issue relating to aging and of counselling approaches applicable to positive aging. Techniques for working with older people including digital technologies, phone and telehealth, robot companionship and simulated presence therapy will be critically explored.

Students learn the various experiences and stages associated with the process of grieving. Students learn the required skills to work compassionately with people who suffer psychological fall-outs and face existential questions following multiple losses such as those associated with relationship loss, declining physical and mental health, loss of role function and identity, migration and cultural status and death and dying including bereavement counselling and end of life plans. Students learn the distinction between grief and complicated grief whilst recognizing and respecting the uniqueness of each client's experience.

In this subject students will critically analyse the social determinants of mental health and problems such as grief and loss, trauma, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Ethics and best practice in mental health provision will also be addressed. The link between identity, country, and mental health will be critically appraised. Students will engage in self-reflexive analysis of the impact of personal colonial history, bias, and beliefs impact self and practice with clients.

Understanding organisational behaviour, politics, dynamics and environments and how they impact on the role and legitimacy of the management function is the core of this unit. This unit helps individuals understand the constraints they face as managers and emerging leaders and how they can develop strategies to leverage advantages and overcome constraints and barriers in their organisations. The unit also focuses on developing some of the advanced communication skills necessary in management and leadership roles, and the ability of the individual to influence others. The course introduces students to the concept of naturally occurring data and qualitative analysis.

We recommend you complete this subject towards the beginning of your MBA. The unit challenges you to think differently about your organisational experiences, to look at them through a variety of lenses, and to explore different ways by which you can influence people within the organisation and have an impact through your function as a manager. A key skill underpinning this is the ability to receive and respond to feedback, to look at data in a number of different ways to find alternative meanings and create different patterns of behaviour. The book ‘Images of Organisation’ explores the notion of the organisation through a range of metaphors; by exploring these metaphors you can gain different insights into your organisation and start to play with different interpretations and understandings of how we experience the world.

Leadership in modern organisations is a way of thinking and behaving.  It is not necessarily a position in a hierarchy.  Leadership is a process of energising, influencing and motivating others: up, down, sideways and diagonally.  Becoming an effective leader requires self-awareness, self-management and a strong set of interpersonal communication skills, a set of capabilities that are often described as Emotional Intelligence (EQ).  In addition, effective leaders think and act strategically, they build a climate for creativity and innovation, and are culturally sensitive and comfortable with ambiguity. 

This subject focuses on developing your leadership capability and not leadership as a theoretical concept that applies to other people.  It helps you explore your own leadership development and self-image, using the techniques of reflective research and supported by a mentoring partner.  It guides you through the preparation of plan for your continued leadership and professional development that is consistent with your personal values, anchored by the academic literature and enables you to be authentic, confident and resilient in leading productive work places for the future.