Student Awards

NCCPH Knowledge Translation Graduate Students Awards
- Congratulations to the 2025 winners!

Practicums

The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) offers the opportunity for students to achieve confidence and skills in evidence-informed decision making in public health and knowledge translation. We host practicum placements in the spring, summer, fall, and winter terms for students in a variety of disciplines, including, but not limited to:

public health
nursing
health research
health management
information science

We believe that applied learning can foster public health practices and practitioners that positively contribute to the health of Canadians. We provide training opportunities for students in areas such as research methodology, data extraction and analysis, evidence summary, evaluation, social media, critical appraisal of literature, website development and stakeholder engagement. Students can tailor their practicum experience to their career goals and apply these skills in all areas of public health, such as health promotion, policy, epidemiology and public health inspection.

Student Achievements

Critical appraisal of systematic reviews in Health Evidence™
Review of an organizational change process model and development of a resource repository
Contribute to, evaluate and improve quality of NCCMT products, services and registries, including the Registry of Methods and Tools, the Online Learning Modules, the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal and Health Evidence™ webinars
Contribute to synthesis research, including systematic reviews and the NCCMT COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Service
Development of online needs assessments for public health practitioners
Creation of social media content for knowledge translation and outreach
Presentations at public health conferences

Current Practicum Opportunities

Fall practicum (12–16 weeks, full-time, September–December)
- Applications: May–June
- Decision: mid-July
Winter practicum (16 weeks, full-time, January–April)
- Applications: September–October
- Decision: mid-November
Summer practicum (16 weeks, full-time, May–August)
- Applications: December–January
- Decision: mid-February

How to Apply

To apply for the current available opportunities, send a resumé and cover letter to nccmt@mcmaster.ca.

If you have any questions about our resources or practicum opportunities, contact us at nccmt@mcmaster.ca or (905) 525-9140 ext. 20450.

Past Students

Aisha Tasawar

"My practicum with the NCCMT allowed me to build a strong skillset in evidence synthesis, knowledge translation, and critical appraisal and has helped me develop several core public health competencies. My experience was further enhanced by working with the supportive and knowledgeable NCCMT team. The team provided the optimal environment for a student to successfully learn and grow. My practicum was well-rounded and has equipped me with many foundational skills that will allow me to make meaningful contributions to the field of public health as I move forward with my career.”

Aisha Tasawar, BSc (Hons), MPH
Master of Public Health, University of Guelph – Summer 2023

Farnaz Azarmju

“My practicum experience at the NCCMT has provided me with many opportunities to gain critical skills needed in the field of public health, as well as to promote and be involved in evidence-informed decision making practices. Throughout my placement, I was able to apply the knowledge and skills that I learned in my MPH program in areas such as outreach to senior leaders and decision makers, development of knowledge translation products, critical appraisal of systematic reviews, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis for evaluation purposes.”

Farnaz Azarmju, HBSc, MPH
Master of Public Health, University of Guelph – Winter 2023

Erica Stone

"During my practicum with the NCCMT, I contributed to several projects that taught me about different forms of evidence and the importance of evidence-informed decision making in public health. Through these projects, I was able to strengthen my skills in the areas of knowledge translation, evidence synthesis and quality appraisals. The supportive and communicative team dynamic further enhanced my learning. I look forward to applying these skills in my future practice in public health!"

Erica Stone, BSc, MPH
Master of Public Health, McMaster University – Fall 2021

Interested in hearing from more past students?

	"My practicum with the NCCMT allowed me to contribute to multiple projects centred around the application and importance of evidence-informed decision-making. The training and guidance I received from the NCCMT team strengthened my knowledge translation and secondary research skills, with a focus on health equity research. The lessons I have learned at the NCCMT will help me better contribute to the public health field." Emily Cranston, BHSc, MScPH Master of Public Health, McGill University – Summer 2021
	"My practicum with the NCCMT enhanced my understanding of the value of evidence-informed decision making in public health. In this role, I gained core public health knowledge and research skills through direct mentorship, collaboration and critical thinking. This is in addition to an array of opportunities aligned with my areas of interest, such as knowledge translation. My time with the NCCMT has resulted in an enhanced skill set and increased capacity for public health leadership that will be transferable to many settings and an asset to the field of public health." Tionné Polin, BA (Hons), MPH Master of Public Health, University of Toronto – Summer 2021
	"Throughout my practicum with the NCCMT, I gained a deeper understanding of evidence-informed decision making and acquired a wide range of research and knowledge translation skills. I am extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such a knowledgeable and supportive team and I look forward to applying my new skills to inform and improve public health practice!" Taylor Colangeli, BSc, MPH Master of Public Health, University of Guelph – Spring 2021
	"My practicum placement at the NCCMT allowed me to experience public health practice firsthand and appreciate public health’s role in responding to changing community needs. I learned the importance of evidence-informed decision making in public health and practice critical appraisal, and I acquired a range of research skills. Ultimately, the training and the support from the NCCMT helped strengthen and develop my public health capabilities." Alison van der Wal, BHSc, MPH Master of Public Health, McMaster University – Fall 2020
	"My experience as a practicum student at the NCCMT was very valuable, allowing me to observe and practice the processes of evidence-informed decision making and critical appraisal in a professional setting. The opportunity to contribute to a range of projects gave me a well-rounded experience, allowing me to develop research, knowledge translation, technical, and communication skills. The NCCMT team is extremely supportive and approachable, and the environment is one that promotes quality, teamwork, and communication." Rachel Jansen, BScN, MPH Master of Public Health, McMaster University – Summer 2020
	"Being an MPH practicum student at the NCCMT allowed me to understand the importance of evidence-informed decision making and the critical appraisal process. I am confident that the skills I have acquired through my training with the NCCMT will be foundational for my career in Public Health and research. Thank you for providing excellent learning opportunities in a supportive environment to foster my growth and development as a public health professional!" Emily Winsor, BSc, MPH Master of Public Health, McMaster University – Fall 2019
	“Being a practicum student with the NCCMT equipped me with the skills required to work within an increasingly complex health system. The NCCMT expanded my understanding of what evidence-informed decision making in public health can truly look like and provided me with tools to play a role in it. My practicum experience has fundamentally shaped how I move forward in my public health career to ensure communities get the most efficient and effective programs, improving not only the state of the health system, but ultimately the health of all Canadians.” Bandna Dhaliwal, BHSc, MPH Master of Public Health, University of Toronto – Winter 2019
	“The skills I’ve learned in evidence-informed decision making in public health at the NCCMT will be applicable in my future career. I continue to use a best evidence approach to everything I do in public health. Thank you for providing a great environment to learn and grow!” Tiffany Dang, BSc, MPH Master of Public Health, McMaster University – Summer 2018