Nathaniel Cronin, COL ’26, Akron, OH
This summer, I had the privilege of working at the Social Action Lab within the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania. The lab studies the impact of communication to understand how individuals form beliefs and attitudes. My specific research project aimed to build greater community support for public health issues, concentrating on HIV/HCV, substance use, and mental health in the Appalachian Region.
As a research assistant, my main objective was to contact individuals who indicated interest in the study, where I learned firsthand how to organize participants and the importance of confidentiality when interacting with individuals. In addition, I would verify participants identities and locations to best align with the target population. This experience showcased the logistics of conducting a longitudinal qualitative study, as the the data collection process required participant interaction for over six months.
Utilizing a cross-disciplinary approach to understanding attitudes toward health issues, I admire the Social Action Lab’s initiative to reshape the health regime for HIV and its emphasis on social impact. For example, the Social Action Lab provides free HIV testing and Narcan to all participants of the study, showcasing their thoughtful and caring approach.
As a pre-law student hoping to specialize in malpractice law, the Social Action Lab has furthered my passion for advocacy within the healthcare profession. This experience taught me the critical role of thorough and empathetic communication in research and advocacy. I developed a deep appreciation for the challenges and rewards of working in a field that intersects public health, social policy, and community engagement.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2024 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
