The Public Health department is assigned to the research focus 'Health, Nutrition and Food' - the first of three profile-forming research focuses at 'Hochschule Fulda'.

Due to its research strength in the field of Public Health, Fulda University of Applied Sciences was awarded the right to award a doctorate in Public Health (Dr. P.H.) by the state of Hesse in December 2016. This means that the right to award a doctorate in Public Health at Fulda University of Applied Sciences is part of the development of an independent, profession-specific scientific discipline, from which the academisation and professionalisation of health professions such as nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy also benefit.

The tasks of the 'Public Health Centre Fulda' are specifically:

• Coordination and promotion of research activities in Public Health
• Development and implementation of interdisciplinary research projects in public health
• Further development of the research infrastructure relevant to public health
• Publication of research results for the scientific and general public
• Regular lecture series, public forums and scientific conferences
• Promotion of student theory-practice projects and qualification of young researchers
• Support for doctorates in public health

The promotion of research activities at the 'Public Health Zentrum Fulda' takes place within the framework of three divisions:

The 'annual theme' in 2020 and 2021 is 'COVID-19'. The members of the 'Public Health Zentrum Fulda (PHZF)' have found specific answers to this topic, which will soon be available in the form of a compendium.

In the 'Spectrum Research' area, the focus is primarily on collegial exchange. Research projects and ideas can be discussed and developed together. For this purpose, we have developed a participatory event format: the 'Online Lunch Break (OLB)' - the catalyst for innovation at lunchtime, which is open to all members. Other characteristics of the 'PHZF' are the interdisciplinarity and diversity of the research projects for which the members stand. In order to make this diversity presentable, a research information system (FIS) is currently being developed, through which the projects of the members of the 'PHZF' will be findable.

Testing and qualifying - a special concern of young academics in the area of 'qualification'. The 'Qualitative Research Workshop (QFW)' and the 'Virtual Spaces for Research (VRfF)', which stand for lateral thinking beyond barriers, are not only for them.