• Skip to Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Search

Indiana University Indiana University IU

Open Search
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Leadership
    • Offices
    • Directory
    • Accreditation
    • Join our Team: Faculty/Academic Appointments
    • Join our Team: Staff Positions
    • Contact
    • Virtual Tour
  • Undergraduate
    • Majors & Degrees
    • Minors & Certificates
    • Advising
    • How to Apply
    • Costs and Finances
    • Contact & Visit
    • Dean's List
    • Virtual Tour
  • Masters
    • Majors & Degrees
    • Accelerated Master's Programs
    • Online program
    • How to Apply
      • Exploratory Non-Degree Seeking
      • International
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Advising
    • Costs and Financial Aid
    • Continuing Education
    • Certificates
    • Contact & Visit
    • Virtual Tour
  • Doctoral
    • Majors
    • How to Apply
      • International
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Advising
    • Costs and Financial Aid
    • Continuing Education
    • Contact & Visit Us
    • Virtual Tour
  • Career Services
    • Career Coaching
    • Career Kickstart
    • Student Outcomes
    • Recruit with Us
  • Student Experience
    • Life in the School of Public Health-Bloomington
    • Classroom Experience
    • Honors Program
    • Living Learning Center
    • Education Abroad
      • International Affairs
    • Research Day
    • Ombuds Office
  • Research & Departments
    • Centers and Institutes
    • Departments
      • Applied Health Science
      • Environmental and Occupational Health
      • Epidemiology and Biostatistics
      • Health & Wellness Design
      • Kinesiology
    • Bìguān 闭关
    • G.I.F.T.S.
  • Alumni & Giving
    • Ways to Give
    • Ways to Get Involved
    • Dean’s Alliance
    • Alumni Association Board
    • Distinguished Alumni Awards
      • Submit a Nomination
  • Current Students
    • Advising
    • Career Services
    • Internships
    • Financial Support
      • Scholarships
      • Fellowships
      • Fellowship & Scholarship Application
        • Fellowship & Scholarship Application: FAQs
    • Study Abroad
    • Student Organizations
    • Forms
    • Inclusive Excellence & Belonging
    • Graduation
    • Contact
  • News & Events
    • News
      • All News
    • Events
    • Distinguished Colloquium Speaker Series
      • Past Speakers
        • Distinguished Colloquium Speaker Series
        • Distinguished Colloquium Speaker Series
    • For Media Professionals

School of Public Health‐Bloomington

  • Home
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Leadership
    • Offices
    • Directory
    • Accreditation
    • Join our Team: Faculty/Academic Appointments
    • Join our Team: Staff Positions
    • Contact
    • Virtual Tour
  • Undergraduate
    • Majors & Degrees
    • Minors & Certificates
    • Advising
    • How to Apply
    • Costs and Finances
    • Contact & Visit
    • Dean's List
    • Virtual Tour
  • Masters
    • Majors & Degrees
    • Accelerated Master's Programs
    • Online program
    • How to Apply
    • Advising
    • Costs and Financial Aid
    • Continuing Education
    • Certificates
    • Contact & Visit
    • Virtual Tour
  • Doctoral
    • Majors
    • How to Apply
    • Advising
    • Costs and Financial Aid
    • Continuing Education
    • Contact & Visit Us
    • Virtual Tour
  • Career Services
    • Career Coaching
    • Career Kickstart
    • Student Outcomes
    • Recruit with Us
  • Student Experience
    • Life in the School of Public Health-Bloomington
    • Classroom Experience
    • Honors Program
    • Living Learning Center
    • Education Abroad
    • Research Day
    • Ombuds Office
  • Research & Departments
    • Centers and Institutes
    • Departments
    • Bìguān 闭关
    • G.I.F.T.S.
  • Alumni & Giving
    • Ways to Give
    • Ways to Get Involved
    • Dean’s Alliance
    • Alumni Association Board
    • Distinguished Alumni Awards
  • Search
  • Current Students
  • News & Events
  • Home
  • News & Events
  • News
  • 2024
  • Faculty member honored by APHA for early-career excellence in public health law

Faculty member honored by APHA for early-career excellence in public health law

By: Elizabeth Ellis

Friday, December 20, 2024

Carly Camplain, Ph.D.

As both a scientific and legal researcher, Carly Camplain, Ph.D. is changing the face of public health law for Indigenous people nationwide. An assistant professor in the Department of Applied Health Science, Dr. Camplain received the Early Career Award for Excellence in Public Health Law at the annual conference of the American Public Health Association (APHA). This award is given annually to only one APHA member nationwide who has made significant contributions to the field of public health law through research, teaching and mentoring, practice or advocacy.

Dr. Camplain utilizes interdisciplinary research across public health, law, and criminal justice with an aim to develop the criminal legal system into an environment that encourages healing and cultural values—and minimizes harm.

“Receiving this award has been both humbling and motivating,” shares Dr. Camplain. “It’s a reminder that my hard work is being recognized and that I need to continue striving for meaningful change.”

Dr. Camplain is dedicated to producing “adaptable” research, striving for a tailored approach to the specific needs of diverse communities. Although Dr. Camplain works with all walks of life, her specialty is on Indigenous people, native nations, and correctional facilities in Indian Country, and she is a member of the IUB Professional Chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS).

“Many people in public health don’t have formal legal training, and law is fundamentally distinct from policy,” says Dr. Camplain. “Policy outlines what should be done, while law governs what must be done, how it is interpreted, and how it is enforced. These factors have profound impacts on health, often exacerbating inequities.”

Some of the biggest challenges in the field of public health law when it comes to native nations/tribes is the issue of sovereignty, meaning they have the right to self-govern but face highly specific challenges navigating federal, state, and tribal systems.

“These overlapping jurisdictions create complexities, especially when it comes to health and criminal-legal issues,” notes Dr. Camplain. “Many people are unaware of this sovereignty or its implications. For example, Federal Indian Law fails to consider the cultural, legal, and health needs of Indigenous communities, perpetuating inequities.”

native lands

The key to working with these native nations is showing proper respect for their sovereignty, traditions, and governance structures, notes Dr. Camplain. With the combination of law and science, she can work directly with these specific community groups to work towards lasting and impactful change.

As an educator, Dr. Camplain utilizes mentorship to create inclusive and meaningful research experiences in the classroom. She currently works with graduate students on a legal epidemiology project that allows them to explore complex issues—and learn how the law impacts public health— while taking an active role in shaping their careers.

“Despite Indiana’s history as home to many native nations, there are no federally recognized tribes in the state, which further limits public awareness of these issues,” says Dr. Camplain. “National recognition like this strengthens my ability to establish myself as a leader in the field, further advancing my contributions as both a researcher and an instructor here at SPH-B.”

For more inspiring stories about SPH-B students, faculty, and staff, visit go.iu.edu/48bx.

  • News
    • All News
  • Events
  • Distinguished Colloquium Speaker Series
  • For Media Professionals

Additional links and resources

  • Information for:
    • Current Students

      • Academic Forms Online
      • Academic Forms Download
      • Advising
      • Career Services
      • Internships
    • Faculty / Staff

      • Grant Administration Office
      • Dean's Office Guidelines
      • Academic Council Guidelines
      • HR Toolkit
      • Faculty / Staff Online Forms
  • Quick Links
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Faculty Directory
    • News
    • Events
    • Alumni
    • Giving
    • Room Request Form
  • Join our Team
    • Administration & Faculty positions
    • Staff positions
  • Undergraduate Programs
    • Degrees & Majors
    • How to Apply
    • Contact
  • Masters Programs
    • Degrees & Majors
    • How to Apply
    • Contact
  • Doctoral Programs
    • Majors
    • How to Apply
    • Contact
  • Key Websites
    • Online Programs & Certificates
    • THRIVE Living-Learning Center
    • Grant Administration Office
    • Internships
    • Public Health Partnerships
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

School of Public Health-Bloomington
1025 E. Seventh Street, Suite 111
Bloomington, IN 47405-7109

Phone: 812-855-1561
Fax: 812-855-4983

Indiana University

Accessibility | College Scorecard | Privacy Notice | Copyright © 2025 The Trustees of Indiana University