Catalogue of Competencies
in Global Health Research for Researchers at Doctoral and Postdoctoral Level
Welcome to the Catalogue of Competencies for global health researchers. This framework considers diverse disciplines and different competency levels of global health research. It centers discipline-specific research knowledge, skills, and attitudes of individual researchers, while integrating global perspectives for research.
Within the Global Health Academy, the Catalogue will be used to identify gaps in the research training landscape and develop training offers to fill these gaps. Beyond GLOHRA, the Catalogue invites individuals and institutions to reflect on integrating further competences in training and career development for global health research.
Ways to use this Catalogue
The catalogue can be used to develop curricula and program, design evaluation criteria, and as a dialogue tool to enhance communication in interdisciplinary teams. It offers ways to cultivate the further advancement of research, education and training initiatives, as well as financing for global health research in Germany and beyond.
Target audience
Individuals in institutions that conduct research in the field of global health, working with or themselves doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. Researchers at early-, mid- and late career levels may find the catalogue useful in shaping their own research, management and supervision, programme and course teaching.
Methods
The catalogue was informed by (i) a systematic literature review of key competencies for global health research in Germany and internationally; (ii) a mapping of a selection of existing competency catalogues and models; (iii) a secondary analysis of outputs from a previous Global Health Academy project related to global health research education and training (GLOHRA Training Repository); and (iv) consultations with GLOHRA members and international experts engaged in the Steering Committee and Academic Advisory Board.
Launch Event
Join the online launch event on 28 April 2025! Discover the Catalogue and gain insights from a distinguished group of GLOHRA members and international guests who will share their perspectives and reflections on the Catalogue.
Competency Domains of the Catalogue
Dive into the competency domains designed specifically for global health researchers. By clicking on any domain, you will uncover detailed information about the specific competencies it includes.
Explanatory note: Competency Domains 0 and 7 (shown in the Catalogue Figure as the inner and outer circle respectively), reflect that researchers in the field of global health aim to deepen their existing disciplinary competencies (Domain 0) while developing a broad, global perspective (Domain 7).
Competency 0.1. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply, adapt and advance core discipline-specific principles, concepts, theories, and frameworks.
Competency 0.2. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply and adapt core discipline-specific research methods and approaches.
Additional information available on: non-exhaustive examples, explanatory notes and levels of competencies (Basic, Skilled, Advanced)
Competency 7.1. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of and respect for diverse perspectives and conditions as well as evidence on global issues related to health and the ability to sensitively reflect and manage values (e.g. equity), complexity, sustainability and a systems perspective in global health research. This entails striking a balance between particularity and universality in experience, norms and models.
Additional information available on: non-exhaustive examples, explanatory notes and levels of competencies (Basic, Skilled, Advanced)
Competency 1.1. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply and adapt the core theoretical and conceptual principles and frameworks for global health research.
Competency 1.2. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to take account of the way that social systems, institutions or actors and socio-political contexts interact with global health research.
Competency 1.3. Demonstrate knowledge of and comprehension of determinants of health, their interrelations at local, national and global levels and the implications of these for global health research.
Competency 1.4. Demonstrate knowledge of, the ability to navigate and literacy for published knowledge in the field of global health, to comprehend and evaluate scientific information and scientific evidence, and to make use of these insights for interventions in global health.
Competency 1.5. Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to apply, adapt and integrate methods and approaches from different disciplines in the field of global health research.
Additional information available on non-exhaustive examples, explanatory notes and competency levels (basic, skilled, advanced)
Competency 2.1. Demonstrate knowledge of, sensitivity to and the ability to apply, respond to and adapt the foundational principles, conventions and regulations of good scientific practice and research ethics in global health.
Competency 2.2. Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to apply the fundamental norms and values of global health, namely health equity, human rights, and considerations for environmental and ecological sustainability, as principles and approaches in global health research. The human rights and equity perspective in particular requires attention to gender equality, intersectionality as well as the awareness of obstacles that hinder their progressive achievement.
Competency 2.3. Demonstrate knowledge of, sensitivity to and ability to apply and adapt structural competencies, i.e. linking health issues to upstream social factors, and competencies related to cultural diversity in global health research.
Competency 2.4. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the historical and political context of global health and of science, and their ongoing influence on global health research, including political ideologies, colonial continuities, political conflict legacies and globalisation.
Additional information available on non-exhaustive examples, explanatory notes and competency levels (basic, skilled, advanced).
Competency 3.1. Demonstrate knowledge of, value for and the ability to apply and adapt the values, principles and approaches of inter- and trans-disciplinary, as well as inter- and trans-professional collaboration in global health research (including in the GLOHRA research areas of Biomedicine; Public Health; Social Sciences and Humanities; and Engineering and Other Sciences).
Competency 3.2. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply and adapt the different values, principles and approaches of collaboration across multiple sectors, community engagement and participatory approaches in global health research (including collaboration between actors in e.g. academic, governmental, non-governmental, multilateral sectors, communities and private-for-profit sectors and taking account of vested and commercial interests).
Additional information available on non-exhaustive examples, explanatory notes and competency levels (basic, skilled, advanced).
Competency 4.1. Demonstrate knowledge of, value for and the ability to adapt and perform effective, inclusive and appropriate scientific and non-scientific communication targeted towards and responding to diverse audiences in and relevant to global health research.
Competency 4.2. Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to perform effective, inclusive and appropriate scientific communication, knowledge translation and support for the provision of scientific advice and uptake of evidence and adequate knowledge in processes of decision-making in global health, including engaging with people outside the scientific community.
Additional information available on non-exhaustive examples, explanatory notes and competency levels (basic, skilled, advanced).
Competency 5.1. Demonstrate knowledge of, value for and the ability to apply and adapt the values, principles and approaches of goal-oriented and good teamwork and management in global health research, including relationship building, problem solving and lateral thinking to value and bring together different perspectives and creatively manage disagreement.
Competency 5.2. Demonstrate knowledge of, value for and the ability to apply and adapt the values, principles and approaches of good support, mentorship and leadership in global health research, including active listening, empathy and self-reflection.
Competency 5.3. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to identify, apply for and secure funding for global health research which adheres to a responsible and sustainable use of resources (material and financial).
Additional information available on non-exhaustive examples, explanatory notes and competency levels (basic, skilled, advanced).
Competency 6.1. Demonstrate knowledge of, value for and the ability to apply and adapt the values, principles and approaches of building and sustaining connections, networks and collaboration in global health research.
Competency 6.2. Demonstrate critical self-reflection (reflexivity), continuous learning and flexibility in a changing environment (e.g. changing research circumstances due to natural disasters or political dynamics) in global health research. This includes values and norms (normativity), concepts and approaches as well as the skills (adaptability and creativity) to foster critical self-reflection about one’s own perspectives, beliefs and biases as well as for continuous learning to consider alternative viewpoints and paradigms in global health research.
Additional information available on non-exhaustive examples, explanatory notes and competency levels (basic, skilled, advanced).