As part of UWM’s brand-new Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Scholars initiative, Dan Holliday—a PhD candidate at the Zilber College of Public Health—will present their thesis research in a series of accessible classes next summer. The program, launched for the 2025–2026 academic year, invites graduate students to craft two- or three-session courses based on their research, aimed at engaging Osher’s diverse network of lifelong learners in enriching, intergenerational dialogue. The sessions run from now through August 2026 at the UWM Hefter Center, with many available via livestream and later recordings.
Holliday’s course offering — “Healthcare Across the Pond: Understanding Access to and Maintenance of Healthcare for Transgender, Intersex, and Nonbinary Adults in Wales”—is scheduled for June 16, 23, and 30 at 12:30 p.m.
Their course will include an introduction to trans, intersex, and nonbinary health; a review of health theories focusing on self-management and health justice; and an overview of their dissertation study.
Their course will showcase the work they have done to build participatory research methods (a form of community engagement) into their dissertation including three years of service with a Welsh mutual aid group, Trans Aid Cymru. Despite the international focus, the class may be helpful for anyone interested in learning more about trans, intersex, and nonbinary people or about navigating barriers to health and healthcare.
Aside from building bridges between academia and the public, the OLLI Scholars initiative offers tangible support for graduate researchers. Participants receive stipends funded through donations by Osher members during UWM’s “414 for UWM Giving Days.”
By giving advanced students the opportunity to guide lifelong learners through cutting-edge research, the program fosters mentorship, communication skills, and an enriching exchange of ideas across generations. Holliday’s public health-focused presentation not only enriches community learning but also exemplifies the initiative’s goal of making academic inquiry meaningful and relevant beyond the university walls.