Advocacy Action Lab
How you and your work can influence policy change.
Learn how to transform your public health knowledge into policy impact
In this comprehensive, multi-modal workshop, public health and health professionals will learn fundamental advocacy skills, workshop specific policy issues, and gain real-world insights on how to achieve public health goals.
Participants will build upon their own work to identify potential advocacy opportunities and develop an action plan to influence decisionmakers at all levels, from city councils to international governing bodies. Workshop activities include action planning sessions, expert presentations and panels, and networking opportunities.
Apply by Friday, April 10, 2026.
Early bird pricing: Apply before March 20 to be eligible for a 15% tuition discount.
Workshop Details
Course Includes:
- Day-long in-person session
- Self-led work
- Virtual group discussions
- Virtual cohort meetings
Who Should Apply:
The Advocacy Action Lab is open to public health and health professionals from academic, nonprofit, governmental, or other health-focused organizations.
Successful applicants are individuals who are interested in engaging in health policy change on a specific health problem with a clear intended impact.
Investment:
Tuition: $3,750
Special Pricing:
Early bird discount: Apply by March 20 to be eligible for a 15% discount.
Johns Hopkins University alumni: JHU alumni are eligible to receive a 15% discount.
Johns Hopkins employees: Johns Hopkins employees may be eligible to use tuition remission for this noncredit course. Employees seeking to register using this benefit should email the Office of Online Education (JHOnline@jhmi.edu).
Schedule
In-Person Session
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Hopkins Bloomberg Center
555 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20001
Light meals and networking reception are included.
Virtual Meet-Up Sessions
Meet-up sessions are held in May, August, and September. Participants are expected to participate in four synchronous meet-up sessions total – one from each of the time periods listed below:
| Meet-up Session #1 (choose one) Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 6-8 p.m. ET Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 12-2 p.m. ET | Meet-up Session #2 (choose one) Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 6-8 p.m. ET Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 12-2 p.m. ET |
| Meet-up Session #3 (choose one) Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 6-8 p.m. ET Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 12-2 p.m ET | Meet-up Session #4 (choose one) Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6-8 p.m. ET Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 12-2 p.m. ET |
Objectives
Describe how policy is made and identify where and how you can impact policy related to your public health topic
Apply advocacy knowledge, skills, and tactics to promote policy change in your public health topic
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of possible policy asks related to your public health topic given the current context
Identify supporters and opponents of your public health topics, determine how to engage the right partners, and identify appropriate partnership strategies
Explain what lobbying is and determine what advocacy activities related to your public health topic do or do not meet the definition of lobbying
Develop an advocacy plan to address your public health goal that reflects consideration of individual strengths, critical factors, strategic partnerships, and realistic tactics
Continuing Education Credits
Course completers can receive:
- Certified in Public Health (CPH) credits, pending approval by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
- Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH)
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC)
Sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy, a National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. approved provider, this program offers up to 4.5 CECH for CHES® and MCHES® (entry-level and advanced). Continuing Competency credits: 0.
Meet Your Instructors
Shelley Hearne, DrPH, MPH
Deans Sommer and Klag Distinguished Professor of the Practice in Public Health Advocacy, Department of Health Policy and Management
Tesfa Alexander, PhD, MA
Helaine and Sid Lerner Associate Practice Professor for Health Advocacy, Department of Health Policy and Management
Glenn Schneider, DrPH, MPH
Senior Associate, Department of Health Policy and Management
Contact
For questions, please contact Samantha Hilario, Education Program Officer at the Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy.