University of Memphis School of Public Health and Public Safety Institute Explore Collaboration to Highlight Public Safety as a Public Health Issue
April 1, 2025 - Dr. Ashish Joshi, Dean of the University of Memphis School of Public Health (SPH), recently met with Bill Gibbons, Executive Director of the University鈥檚 Public Safety Institute (PSI), and members of his team to explore collaborative opportunities that underscore the connection between public safety and public health.
The meeting focused on joint efforts to demonstrate how public safety challenges鈥攕uch as violence prevention, community policing, and emergency response鈥攁re critical components of broader public health outcomes. As part of this partnership, SPH and PSI will work together towards developing innovative cross-disciplinary work to address public safety in Memphis and expand collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
The initiative is a strategic step toward aligning public health and safety practices in academic research, policy advocacy, and real-world application鈥攄emonstrating the University of Memphis鈥檚 commitment to addressing complex urban issues through collaboration and innovation.
Photo: Bill Gibbons, Exec. Director, UofM Public Safety Institute (PSI)(center), along with (right to left) Linda Russell, Executive Assistant, Public Safety Institute, Dr. Amaia Iratzoqui, Research Director and Associate Professor, Public Safety Institute, Dr. Ashish Joshi, SPH Dean and Distinguished University Professor, and Steve Shular, SPH Community Outreach Representative.