Sunshine Education & Research Center
Overview
Education and Research Centers are funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). ERC’s play a key role in providing national and world leadership to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. The purpose of the Sunshine Education and Research Center (ERC) is to promote graduate training and research related to occupational health and safety. We provide well-trained graduates to meet the demand for a professional occupational health and safety workforce for federal, state, and local government agencies; not-for-profit agencies; industry; academia; business; healthcare; and labor organizations. Occupational Health and Safety Professionals are a necessary part of programs designed to protect the health and well-being of working men and women, a fundamental purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Sunshine Education and Research Center is one of only 18 NIOSH funded and research centers nationwide.
In the Spotlight
Under the Florida Sun
This short film, developed by the USF Activist Lab captures the role of climate change impacting farmworkers. This video incorporates information from experts on the role of climate change, the plight of the farmworkers, resulting heat-related health issues, strategies for change, and especially the advances made by the Fair Food program.
In new study, USF researchers focus on occupational burnout from hurricanes and COVID
After Hurricane Helene sent its storm surge into Florida’s west coast in late September, local emergency responders and health care workers pulled long hours on the job. Then came Hurricane Milton right behind it, with Category 3 winds and rains wreaking havoc not just to property, but the patience and nerves of those same exhausted crews.