Christine Ackerley is a health communication consultant and researcher whose work focuses on how evidence is communicated to inform and influence health systems. Her research interests include evidence-to-policy communication, rhetorical strategy, and cross-sector collaboration. Her work draws on approaches from communication, public policy, and behavioral science to explore how research can be better translated and used in complex decision-making environments.
Christine has over nine years of applied experience in health and communications strategy, including roles in the Canadian healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic. That hands-on experience raised new questions about how evidence is used — and sometimes overlooked — in health systems, which inspired her to pursue an interdisciplinary PhD at the University of Washington, supported by a Fulbright award.
She holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism from Carleton University and a Master’s in Communication from Simon Fraser University, where she focused on health communication and knowledge translation. Through her research and professional work, Christine has developed expertise in qualitative methods — including interviews, case studies, and text analysis.
Going forward, she’s especially interested in health system design, cross-sector collaboration, and strengthening the links between research, practice, and policy. She is passionate about applying both her hands-on experience and academic insight to make complex research more useful, usable, and actionable for real-world health decision-makers.
What attracted you to the IPhD Program?
The flexibility of the IPhD program really stood out to me. I’d been working for several years after my master’s, and that experience — especially during the pandemic — shaped the kinds of research questions I wanted to explore. I knew I wanted to build on my journalism and communication training by drawing from other areas like public policy, global health, and health services. The IPhD gave me an opportunity to custom-create a course of study that aligned exactly with my interests.
What was your research focus?
My research focused on how intermediaries — think tanks, nonprofits, and other organizations that sit between researchers and policymakers — use reports and other grey literature to influence policy, especially on complex issues like antimicrobial resistance.
These kinds of reports are everywhere in policy spaces, but often overlooked in research. I conducted in-depth case studies and interviews to analyze how three reports were produced, what rhetorical strategies enhanced their credibility, and how they continued to shape policy conversations long after publication.
How did pursuing the IPhD degree benefit your long-term research goals?
Going into the IPhD, I knew I wanted to continue working at the intersection of research, practice, and policy. The program has helped me sharpen my independent research skills and better understand how to navigate and contribute to academic spaces, in ways that complement my ongoing applied work with researchers and health system leaders. It also let me dive deep into topics I care about — like rhetoric, evidence use, and policy processes. For someone who loves learning, it was a dream opportunity. The experience has already shaped how I approach projects, partnerships, and strategy.
What was your favorite class as a graduate student?
It’s hard to choose, but one standout was Rhetoric of Science with my supervisor, Leah Ceccarelli. I took it in my very first semester, right after moving to Seattle — and after several years away from school. Walking to class through UW’s beautiful campus and digging into my main area of interest with a small group of engaged students felt incredibly energizing.
Professor Ceccarelli is a terrific teacher and a brilliant writer and editor. Her detailed feedback was some of the most thoughtful I’ve received, and it helped me grow as a writer and thinker. I ended up publishing one of my class papers (titled, Effective argumentation for action in health policy: a case study of the UK’s review on antimicrobial resistance), and ultimately expanded on the topic in my dissertation project.
What advice would you give to other people thinking about the IPhD program?
Be proactive and crystal-clear on your goals coming into the program. All PhD programs are self-directed to some extent, but the IPhD takes that even further — there’s no set curriculum or timeline. That gives you incredible freedom, but it also means you need to seek out the courses, opportunities, and mentors that will help you grow. If you’re motivated by big questions that span disciplines, and you’re ready to chart your own course, it’s a great fit.
What is something about you that might surprise people to learn?
I worked as a ski instructor all through high school! It was such a fun way to stay active during Canada’s winters — and I got to teach people of all ages, from toddlers to seniors. It definitely taught me a lot about patience, communication, and adapting to people’s needs on the fly — skills I still use today.
2025 Graduate