Join us for a fireside chat with Brian O'Donnell of DHIS2 on March 13

We are hosting our very first fireside chat with a tech architect who has been working at the intersection of technology, public health, and epidemiology for over a decade — working with more than a dozen countries on their digital health strategies.

Author

Daniel Burka
February 26, 2025

At Hard Problems, we plan to interview great technologists who work on the hard problems of the world.

Our first interview is on March 13, with Brian O’Donnell. He has been working on the popular public health tech platform DHIS2 since 2019. Join us for drinks, snacks, and a great candid conversation about what it takes to be successful working with Ministries of Health all over the world. We will discuss:

  • Technology in global public health

  • Careers in global health tech

  • Working in academia vs. gov vs. private sector

  • How to succeed long-term in your career

This will be a frank and open discussion. You will have the chance to ask Brian questions. Space is limited, please rsvp.

Schedule on March 13

  • 6pm - Doors open, snacks, chat

  • 6:30pm - Introductions

  • 6:40pm - Interview Brian and audience Q&A

  • 8:00pm - More drinks and discussion

  • 9:00pm - Doors close

  • Continue in a pub down the street

Location

Hard Problems
1 Rivington Place, London, EC2A 3BA

Biography

Brian is a systems architect in the field of public health informatics at the University of Oslo. He provides global tech support for DHIS2 implementations. DHIS2 is a free and open source health information platform used by Ministries of Health in over 90 countries to collect, manage, and analyze their public health data.

​Since a 2015 Global Health Corps fellowship in Zambia, Brian has had direct experience in 12 countries designing digital health tools for maternal health, HIV prevention, and disease surveillance.

​He has a background in epidemiology (MSc), public policy (MPA), and data science (odd jobs).