My academic work focuses broadly on the politics and governance of infectious disease preparedness and response. This has included critical analysis of pandemic financing mechanisms, analysis of the pandemic treaty, the increasing convergence of global health security with universal health coverage, novel infectious disease surveillance methods, and the risk of “over-securitizing” health. Theoretically I approach these questions through understanding how international relations can contribute to resolving issues caused by pandemics and how learnings can contribute to disease governance.

At the national level, I have used empirical case studies to understand how different governments approach infectious disease control, with notable studies focused on Brazil, Panama, Cuba, Thailand and the UK.

My research in global health governance considers the inter-relation and agendas of differing actors in the global health architecture. This has included analysis of the role of the WHO, the role of private sector financing, tensions between public and non-state actors and more broadly Latin America’s role in global health.

This area of my research analyses the gendered impact of epidemic (and broader health) policy, where she considers how the gender neutrality of global health policies differentially affect women. I have a number of publications on this topic, considering the involvement of women in policymaking, and the downstream effects of gender-neutral policymaking for health emergencies on women and other marginalised groups; including on economic participation and access to sexual and reproductive health services. Empirically I have used case studies from Zika and COVID-19, as well as considering broader preparedness legislation and policies.