Reflection is a powerful tool in global health education and practice. Reflection should focus upon the meaning and lessons learned from global health exposure, action, and learning. These may be in a research, educational, clinical, or service capacity. The impacts of these experiences on professional development and personal growth are revealed in new partnerships, insights into cross-cultural or ethical issues, and ideas for change. The Global Lens Forum welcomes multiple mediums of reflection.

1. Essay – 1000 words or less, which will be judged on originality, style & composition, critical reflection and impact on readers.

2. Art– Submit an image of an original artistic creation (drawing/painting/sculpture/etc) and reflective statement (less than 1000-words) – describe your art and why you created it, meaning, and symbolism

3. Video or Photograph – Submit a narration of reflection with photographs and/or video clips (5 minutes or less). Consent photos/videos should be obtained per best practices (learn more through these resources: https://www.cfhi.org/cfhi-photo-and-social-media-ethics-policy, https://www.cfhi.org/understanding-and-upholding-best-practices-in-global-health-photograph, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6586959/).  

DO NOT MERELY RECOUNT EXPERIENCES. Why did things happen the way they did? What was significant about the experience/event? How are you changed as a result?  

DO NOT submit original research. Research papers are not considered. The submission should reflect your personal experience. 

RESOURCES

Reflection in Global Health resources and previous anthologies.

Click here for sample writing prompts: RFLCT: A Rubric for Reflection at Stritch

Click here to see essays previously selected for the reflection in Global Health Anthology.

Additional details:

• Entries must be in English or Spanish.

• The submission must be the work of a single author and must represent original work. Essays must not have been previously published in print or electronic format.

• Use 11-point font, double-spaced. Must not exceed 1,000 words.

• Do not include your name or any other identifying information of you or your institution in the document.

• IMPORTANT: The file name of your submission must match the title of your submission.

• Include the title of your essay on all pages of your document submission.

• Only ONE submission per person.

• Essays not meeting all requirements will be disqualified.

• Guidelines for the use of AI:

• Participants are expected to submit original work that reflects their own ideas, analysis, experiences, and voice. AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grammarly, or similar technologies may be used in limited ways to support the writing process, but they may not replace the participant’s own intellectual and creative work. 

• Entries will be analyzed with an AI detector.

• Permitted uses may include:

  • Brainstorming topics or generating questions to consider
  • Creating or refining an outline
  • Checking grammar, spelling, punctuation, or clarity
  • Receiving feedback on organization or readability
  • Identifying areas that may need further explanation or research

  Not permitted:

  • Asking AI to write the essay, or substantial portions of it
  • Submitting AI-generated text as the participant’s own writing
  • Using AI to substantially rewrite an essay such that the final language no longer represents the participant’s own voice
  • Using AI-generated facts, quotations, citations, or references without independently verifying them
  • Using AI to fabricate personal experiences, interviews, research, or sources

  Disclosure:
  Participants should disclose any substantive use of generative AI. A brief statement may be included at the end of the essay, for example: “I used ChatGPT to help develop an initial outline and to provide feedback on grammar and organization. The ideas and final written content are my own.” Routine spell-checking does not need to be disclosed.