Jennifer Hebert-Beirne

Jennifer Hebert-Beirne is a Professor of Community Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health. A leading community-based participatory researcher (CBPR), she specializes in qualitative methodologies to advance health equity and justice, particularly in Chicago's marginalized communities like North Lawndale and Little Village. Her work bridges academic research with grassroots activism through the Collaboratory for Health Justice and the UIC Center for Healthy Work. She has served as Associate Dean for Community Engagement and co-leads the National Institutes of Health (NIDDK) funded Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium.

• Key Roles:
  • Site Principal Investigator, NIH NIDDK PLUS Consortium
  • Co-Investigator, Chicago Center for Health and the Environment (CACHET)
  • Co-PI, Chicago Community Health Response Corps (COVID-19 response)
  • Faculty Liaison, UIC Office for Community Collaboration
• Education:
  • PhD in Public Health (Maternal & Child Health), UIC (2008)
  • MPH in Maternal & Child Health and Health Education, UIC (1995)
  • BA in Sociology, Boston College (1991)

Her research focuses on structural drivers of health inequities, including precarious work, gender-based violence, and environmental racism. She develops innovative community-academic partnerships like the Life Scholars Photovoice Study and Health Justice Speaker's Bureau. Her work has informed public health messaging frameworks and policy interventions for bladder health, occupational safety, and pandemic response. Recent articles explore intersectional stressors among Arab sexual minority migrants and methodological advancements in CBPR.

Dr. Hebert-Beirne has received numerous accolades, including the UIC Community Engagement Award, ASPPH Excellence in Practice Award, and Delta Omega Innovative Curriculum Award. She co-developed courses like Epidemics of Injustice and Community Organizing/CBPR, emphasizing radical public health pedagogy. Her grants include NIH, CDC NIOSH, and MacArthur Foundation funding for community-driven projects.