Collaborative Topics Spring 26 Kickoff

Jan 21, 2026
Promotional graphic for the IU IPE Collaborative Topics Series Spring 2026 workshops, featuring students collaborating with Indiana University campus imagery and text highlighting exploitation awareness and social determinants of health.

IU IPE Collaborative Topics Series: Spring 2026 In-Person Workshops

The IU Interprofessional Practice and Education Center (IU IPE) Collaborative Topics series is launching its Spring 2026 in-person experiences on the Indiana University Bloomington campus, offering students opportunities to learn about real-world challenges in health, social care, and community practice.

These interactive sessions bring together students from multiple disciplines, community members, and subject-matter experts. Participants engage with perspectives and professions they will encounter in real-world practice but may not regularly interact with during their academic programs. Each workshop emphasizes collaboration, communication, and systems-level thinking.

Exploitation Awareness and Prevention (Human Trafficking) Workshop

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 6:00–7:30 PM
IU School of Education, Room 2140

This workshop focuses on human trafficking and exploitation awareness in Indiana. Deb Getz, of the IU School of Public Health, will help attendees identify the types of exploitation and human trafficking that occur in Indiana, recognize key warning signs and red flags that may indicate exploitation, understand the role future professionals can play in prevention, identification, and response. This session is especially relevant for students pursuing careers in healthcare, education, social work, public health, criminal justice, and community-based professions.

REGISTRATION LINK

Social Determinants of Health Workshop

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 6:00–7:30 PM
Bloomington Health Science Building, Room C1001X

Led by Vanessa Parker, of the IU School of Social Work, this workshop explores the social determinants of health and their impact on individuals and communities. This experience will focus on defining social determinants of health and their influence on individual health outcomes, examining the relationship between health, community, and social conditions, and analyzing how social, economic, and environmental factors affect both personal and population health. This workshop is designed for students interested in healthcare, social services, public policy, education, and community engagement.

REGISTRATION LINK​​

The Collaborative Topics Series supports interprofessional education by creating environments where students practice collaboration, communication, and systems thinking. These in-person workshops complement academic coursework by connecting theory to lived experience and community context. Students leave with practical insights, expanded professional awareness, and a deeper understanding of how collaboration improves outcomes for individuals and populations.

Media Contact

IU School of Medicine

Rory Appleton

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