Human and Planetary Health Action Labs

Tackling Real-World Problems Where Health and the Planet Intersect.

Human and Planetary Health (HPH) Action Labs are immersive, project-based courses that bring together students from across Stanford to address urgent sustainability and health challenges. Students work in interdisciplinary teams, collaborate with external partners, and co-develop actionable solutions grounded in rigorous research and partner engagement.

Each Action Lab course centers on a pressing issue at the nexus of human and environmental well-being. Whether the focus is sustainable aquaculture, fossil fuel phaseout, or community nutrition, students work side-by-side with clients from the public, nonprofit, or private sectors to generate insights that matter.

“The students delivered policy recommendations we can actually use. They listened, they learned, and they helped us make the case for a healthier, more resilient future.” — Renew Missouri (Action Lab Partner)

These experiential learning courses bring together Stanford students from different fields to solve tough climate, sustainability, and health problems. Collaborating with real clients, like government agencies, non-profits, or mission-driven companies, students absorb case studies, conduct interviews, synthesize data, and work with communities to construct solutions to client-defined challenges.

Why Action Labs?

For Students:

Apply your skills to real-world challenges that impact people and the planet.
Collaborate across disciplines in fast-paced, high-impact project teams.
Deliver meaningful work that informs decision-makers, influences policy, and advances community well-being.

“This was the most meaningful class I’ve taken at Stanford. We got to work on something that will actually impact people’s lives.” — Stanford student

For Faculty:

Catalyze existing research through HPH support and students’ multidisciplinary skill sets: law, business, engineering, design, anthropology, medicine, earth sciences, international studies and more
Get to impact through partner utilization of student recommendations.
Help launch a new crop of leaders ready to tackle complex climate and health challenges.

“What’s exciting is that the student teams supplemented our existing research by providing additional case studies and other references for consideration.” - Center for Ocean Solutions

For External Partners:

Receive high-quality, evidence-based analysis and recommendations from a team of skilled graduate students.
Advance organizational goals while contributing to student education and leadership development.
Explore new approaches or policy pathways with Stanford support.

“The health lens was a game-changer. It let us talk about power plant transitions without getting political.” — Clean Wisconsin (Action Lab Partner)

Courses

Renewable Energy in Rural America (EBS 291 / LAW 809U / PEDS 289)

Taught Fall 2024 by Stanford Professors Lisa Patel and Deborah Sivas

How can the U.S. energy transition serve rural communities, rather than leave them behind? This Action Lab partnered with public health organizations and clean energy advocates to investigate the health impacts of fossil fuel plants and propose equitable pathways for transition.

Students produced health impact assessments (HIAs), identifying over $1.6 billion in annual health-related costs. They also laid out renewable energy policy pathways, and suggested strategies to support displaced workers.

Final Reports:

Clean Wisconsin: Health Impact Assessment of Natural Power Plant

Renew Missouri: Health Impact Assessment of Coal Plant Retirement

Blue Foods for Indonesia Human and Planetary Health Action Lab (Fall 2022 & Winter 2023)

In Action Labs over two quarters, student teams explored how blue foods contribute to sustainable diets and coastal livelihoods in Indonesia. Working with the World Economic Forum, and Indonesia-based partners, students examined aquaculture policy, gender equity, fisheries, and nutrition.

Students produced a nutrition-sensitive aquaculture roadmap, conducted geospatial mapping to identify high-impact areas, and developed policy recommendations to support resilient, equitable blue food systems in Indonesia.

“This course let us go deep on food systems, climate, and equity in a way that made the stakes real.” — Stanford participant

Get Involved

Are you an organization with a tough challenge at the intersection of health and sustainability? A Stanford faculty member interested in leading an Action Lab? Or a student ready to roll up your sleeves and make a difference?

Reach out to Katie Vogelheim to learn more.

_{Image Credit: Andrew Brodhead, Katie Vogelheim}