Overview

Sunshine Education & Research Center

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.

Sunshine ERC Trainee Graduates to date

Established in 1997

The Activist Lab

A wideshot image of people sitting at tables during a Sunshine ERC event

Annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference and Safety & Health Conference

An aerial photo of homes suffering from a flood.

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In the News

Dr. Thomas Bernard retires after nearly four decades of service to occupational health and safety

After nearly four decades of teaching, research and service at the USF College of Public Health (COPH), Dr. Thomas Bernard, professor in the Department of Health Policy and Systems Management, will retire Aug. 31.

COPH faculty, students advocate for worker health during Washington, D.C. visit

Faculty from the USF College of Public Health (COPH) recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal legislators and discuss priorities related to worker health and safety, highlighting the impact of federally supported occupational health programs.

USF researcher addresses a growing crisis: Health care worker burnout

Imagine you’re a nurse or emergency responder in Florida when an outbreak of infectious disease collides with the aftermath of a hurricane.

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.

A person sitting at a desk with their hands on their head

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.