The University of Stirling has introduced an immersive pandemic simulation designed to prepare future public-health professionals for the realities of a global health emergency. The exercise, delivered to Master of Public Health students on campus, reflects growing recognition that simulation-based training is becoming essential as health systems prepare for future outbreaks.
The initiative follows the findings of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, which concluded that the country’s early response to the pandemic was inadequate and contributed to avoidable loss of life. Against this backdrop, universities and training bodies are increasingly rethinking how public-health education can better equip graduates with the capabilities required in high-pressure emergencies.
Applying Theory to High-Pressure Decision-Making
During the simulation, developed by DMS Academy, students assumed the role of national decision-makers responsible for managing the spread of a rapidly evolving infectious disease. They were required to assess public-health risks, allocate limited resources, coordinate across sectors and communicate critical information under tight time constraints — mirroring the complex dynamics of real-world emergency response.
Dr Agi Mcfarland, course director for the on-campus Master of Public Health, said the activity offered an important step beyond classroom theory: “The Covid-19 Inquiry showed that the public-health workforce needs stronger pandemic preparedness. This learning activity allowed our students to move beyond the theory and immerse themselves in an in-depth experiential learning exercise.”
Learning Through Immersive, Data-Driven Simulation
Students navigated competing priorities including population protection, economic pressures, ethical considerations, and international cooperation. Detailed analytics were shared after the simulation, enabling participants to reflect on their decision-making and its impact on case numbers, mortality and resource utilisation.
One student, Chanchal Ajith Kumar Rathi, described the experience as “challenging but eye-opening,” noting the difficulty of balancing budgets, interventions and escalating case numbers. Another student, Emma Francis, highlighted the importance of seeing “the impact of interventions such as vaccination reflected immediately in the simulation data.”
Building a Workforce Ready for Future Health Emergencies
Public-health leaders continue to emphasise that while the next global health emergency cannot be predicted, its emergence is inevitable. Simulations of this nature are increasingly used to strengthen workforce readiness by exposing trainees to the realities of uncertainty, incomplete information and rapidly shifting epidemiological conditions.
Margaret Ruddy, a nursing lecturer involved in delivering the programme, said the exercise supports essential competencies: “Public-health professionals need a strong understanding of outbreak dynamics, containment strategies and resource mobilisation. Our students must be prepared to communicate effectively, collaborate across systems and make ethical decisions under pressure.”
She added that embedding simulation into the curriculum enhances learners’ ability to operate within complex health systems and supports their development as future leaders capable of responding to large-scale health threats.
Experiential Training Gains Ground in Global Public Health Education
The simulation sits within a broader shift towards experiential learning in public-health training worldwide. As health systems reflect on lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, universities are increasingly adopting practical methods that help students understand how policy, epidemiology, behavioural science and healthcare delivery intersect during emergencies.
The University of Stirling’s approach aligns with this movement, combining academic teaching with real-world application and exposure to interdisciplinary practice. Through this, the institution aims to ensure that graduates entering the public-health workforce are better equipped to support national and international responses to future crises.
