Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Health (RSTMH) partners with Manta Ray Media to launch grow – a new platform for greater collaboration in global health

With the COVID-19 crisis highlighting both the urgent need for greater collaboration in global health and the creeping protectionism taken by some states in response to the threat, RSTMH and Manta Ray Media have launched grow – a unique, online platform for anyone anywhere interested in global health to discover or post opportunities to learn, work, get funding or volunteer. The platform includes jobs and courses, voluntary and research placements, internships and PhDs, NGO and industry placements, grants and scholarships from around the world.

grow is a collaboration between the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and Manta Ray Media, as part of their joint mission to support people involved in global health.

Speaking about the launch of the platform, Tamar Ghosh, CEO of RSTMH, said:

“As we face COVID-19 together, there is greater understanding that the health of everyone in the world is inextricably linked. We cannot see the health of ourselves, of our communities and our countries in isolation to others, and achieving global health means achieving good health for all of us including those people and communities who are furthest away from that. Tackling Global Health means tackling issues that will affect so much of our health in the future including emerging diseases, climate change, conflict, poverty and inequity. Right now, the best minds across all sectors, disciplines and countries may be considering whether they have an interest, experience or skills to bring to global health. If they do, we hope grow will help them find an opportunity. “

Steve Lacey, Co-founder of Manta Ray Media, said:

“This has been a particularly rewarding collaboration for me. My career in global health has taken many twists and turns, from entomology research to co-founding a digital global health company. grow is exactly the kind of resource I wished I had had when I was starting out, to give direction to my first steps. It’s deeply satisfying to know this site will help people at all stages of their career, whatever their interest, to find their perfect opportunity in global health.

Good luck everyone and grow!”

The website brings together opportunities to get involved in global health from all sectors and disciplines into one place – the first one-stop-shop for global health opportunities from a range of countries and sectors. 

"I think this is a great initiative. We are a hugely diverse community and we are excited to have more people on board as we work towards the ambitious 2030 NTD road map targets” Dr Mwele Malecela, Director of the Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization. 

Partners who have contributed opportunities to the platform include the African Research Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Fred Hollows Foundation, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, The Soulsby Foundation, SCI Foundation, and Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

Global health, now more than ever, needs people with a range of skills and experience. Whatever stage of your career or level of interest, there are many ways to get involved – whether you want to learn, work, volunteer, or carry out research. Go to the grow site and explore the current opportunities.     

If your organisation has opportunities to add please email tamar.ghosh@rstmh.org