معرفی
Rajiv N. Rimal is a Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he is affiliated with the Department of Health, Behavior and Society. He is a leading expert in health communication and social norms-based interventions, with a focus on improving health outcomes for women and children in low- and middle-income countries. His work spans nutrition, vaccination, anemia, adolescent health, and climate communication.
- PhD, Stanford University, 1995
- MA, Southern Illinois University, 1991
- BE, Bhopal University, 1988
Dr. Rimal’s research centers on social and behavior change communication, particularly through the lens of social norms theory. His work investigates how perceived norms influence health behaviors such as vaccination, family planning, and nutrition. He has led major interventions in Ethiopia, Nigeria, India, and Nepal, including the Collaborative for Research on Women and Nutrition (CROWN) and the Reduction in Anemia through Normative Innovations (RANI) project. His recent publications highlight innovative approaches using human-centered design, social media, and interpersonal communication to address public health challenges in complex environments.
The trends in his recent publications show a strong emphasis on social norms, vaccine confidence, adherence measurement, and public opinion formation in global health contexts. His research bridges communication theory, behavioral science, and public health implementation, often employing mixed methods and randomized trials.
- Everett M. Rogers Award in Public Health Promotion and Health Communication
- Outstanding Teacher, Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Combined ICA & NCA Distinguished Article Award
- Past Chair, Health Communication Division, ICA and NCA
- Multiple Top-Four Paper Awards at ICA and NCA conferences
- Nathan Maccobby Award for Excellence in Communication Research, Stanford University
Dr. Rimal has advised students, including Sarah Gibson, whose master’s thesis he advised to win an award. He leads significant research grants focused on anemia reduction, vaccine skepticism, and maternal health, often funded by major global health organizations. His collaborations span across disciplines and geographies, including partnerships in India, Ethiopia, and Nepal. He is actively involved in curriculum development and teaching in health behavior and communication.
Dr. Rimal leads or contributes to several research initiatives, including the CROWN research collaborative and projects integrating architecture and social norms to improve vaccination rates in Nepal. His team employs interdisciplinary methods, combining communication science, public health, and behavioral economics to design and evaluate scalable interventions.
