Tiffany N. Ford

Tiffany N. Ford is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health. She is also a nonresident fellow with the Center on Economic Security and Opportunity at the Brookings Institution, reflecting her national engagement in equity-focused policy research.

Education:

• PhD in Policy Studies (Social Policy concentration), University of Maryland School of Public Policy
• MPH, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health
• Bachelor's in Human and Social Development and Economics, University of Miami

Dr. Ford's research focuses on the impact of structural racism on the subjective well-being of Black populations across the life course. She integrates qualitative, quantitative, spatial, and mixed methods to explore how policies and social norms perpetuate inequities in quality of life. Her work emphasizes community-centered research strategies to inform equitable public policy, particularly place-based interventions. She teaches graduate courses in qualitative research methods and offers a public course on structural determinants of health in the U.S.

Her recent publications highlight participatory evaluation approaches and foundational principles linking racism and health. These works reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary, community-engaged scholarship aimed at systemic change in public health practice and policy.

Scientific Awards:

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Equity Scholar for Action Grant
• Innovative Research Award for PhD dissertation, University of Maryland

Dr. Ford has received significant grant support, including a two-year award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to advance her research and career development. While specific advisees are not listed, her role as a faculty member and principal investigator suggests active mentorship. She previously held postdoctoral positions at the Brookings Institution and Cornell University, demonstrating a strong trajectory in health equity research.

Her work is deeply rooted in collaboration with community-based organizations and coalitions, particularly in Chicago, ensuring that research is responsive to the needs of populations most affected by structural oppression.