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Dr Joelle Mak

Assistant Professor

United Kingdom

I lead on the development of mixed-methods approaches for social science in global health research, particularly on the evaluation of complex interventions. My main research interests are migration, exploitation, violence, psychosocial and sexual reproductive health. I am interested in how these phenomena intersect with socioeconomic, structural and political environments that impact health and wellbeing. I focus on applied research aiming to generate evidence for practical solutions.

 
I employ a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, including creative, participatory and coproduction approaches alongside computational social science methods in my work. I have a strong interest in research ethics and am a member of LSHTM’s ethics committee and have been part of UK National Health Service’s Research Ethics Committee (2017-2022), specialising in studies involving individuals of limited mental capacity. 

I co-lead the Evidence Synthesis theme at LSHTM’s Centre for Evaluation.

Affiliations

Department of Global Health and Development
Faculty of Public Health and Policy

Teaching

I currently teach on the following MSc modules: Research Design and Methods for the Analysis of Global Health Policy;  Population Studies; and Sexual Health.

 

I am Deputy Module Organiser for DL-Research Design and Analysis for Global Health Policy. I am part of the teaching team for the Gender-Based Violence: Methods and Meaning Short Course.

 

I previously taught on, and was module organiser for the intensive Principles of Social Research Module, and Research Design and Analysis.

I serve as personal tutor and project supervisor for a range of MSc’s, including the new Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy and Programme, Public Health, Demography & Health, Reproductive & Sexual Health Research. I supervise MSc students and am a member of the Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy and Programme MSc Course Committee.


I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Research

I am currently working on the UKRI GCRF South-South Migration, Inequality and Development (MIDEQ) Hub. I am leading the Hub's 12-country survey.

I previously led the Nepal component of the SWiFT Evaluation on the Work in Freedom an anti-trafficking intervention in Nepal, India and Bangladesh.

Earlier projects include: the Integra initiative, an evaluation on different models for delivering integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services in Kenya, Swaziland and Malawi; Camfed Seed Money Scheme evaluation in Zimbabwe and Tanzania; and the Global Burden of Diseases.

Research Area
Social and structural determinants of health
Gender-based violence
Complex interventions
Child labour
Evaluation
Social epidemiology
Realist evaluation
Mixed methods research
Migration
Systematic reviews

Selected Publications

MTV-Shuga Naija Season Five - Evaluation Report for the Global Innovation Fund
MAK, J; George, B; PIot, S;
2023
Psychosocial interventions to improve the mental health of survivors of human trafficking: a realist review.
MAK, J; Bentley, A; Paphtis, S; Huq, M; ZIMMERMAN, C; Osrin, D; Devakumar, D; Abas, M; Kiss, L;
2023
The lancet. Psychiatry
Mechanisms for the prevention of adolescent intimate partner violence: A realist review of interventions in low- and middle-income countries.
Lowe, H; Dobbin, J; Kiss, L; MAK, J; Mannell, J; Watson, D; Devakumar, D;
2022
PLoS global public health
Stigma and empowerment: A qualitative study on Nepalese women and labour migration
Shrestha, N; MAK, J; ZIMMERMAN, C;
2020
Migration Research Series
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