As a Research Fellow in Mixed Methods at the Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, I play a key role in the mixed-methods process evaluation of a Yorkshire Cancer Research-funded feasibility trial. This trial investigates the impact of a tailored, home-based exercise program on disease-free survival among individuals with high-risk recurring cancers.
My responsibilities include conducting qualitative and quantitative research to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and implementation of the intervention. I contribute to research governance, obtaining ethical approvals, and conducting semi-structured interviews with study participants and healthcare professionals. I also support data collection, analysis, and interpretation within a realist-informed framework, helping to understand how different contexts and mechanisms interact to influence health outcomes.
Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including experts in implementation science, palliative care, and cancer research, I work to bridge the gap between research and real-world application. My role also involves engaging with patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to ensure that findings contribute meaningfully to improving cancer care and reducing health inequalities.
Through this work, I aim to strengthen evidence on the role of physical activity in cancer survivorship while supporting the design of a larger-scale trial to improve long-term health outcomes
Dr. Lubna Ferdowsi is a Research Fellow in Mixed Methods at Hull York Medical School, specializing in public health, gender equality, and AI-driven research. With a PhD in Sociology and Social Anthropology from the University of Hull, her research focuses on identity, migration, and gender. She also holds an MSc in AI and Data Science, applying AI in epidemiology. Previously, she taught Research Methods in Police Education at Anglia Ruskin University.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Lubna Ferdowsi’s expertise lies at the intersection of public health research, gender studies, and AI-driven approaches. Her work integrates qualitative and quantitative methodologies to address global challenges, with a focus on gender equality, mental health, and climate change. Dr. Ferdowsi is particularly interested in the socio-cultural dimensions of public health, and her research spans issues such as identity, migration, and gender, with a focus on marginalized communities, including British Bangladeshi women.
Her interdisciplinary expertise extends to the application of artificial intelligence in public health, where she has conducted research on AI-driven models for predicting and preventing dengue outbreaks in Bangladesh. By combining social research with cutting-edge technology, Dr. Ferdowsi’s work seeks to enhance the efficiency and impact of health interventions. She also explores the intersection of gender and AI, contributing to gender-sensitive research that influences policy and practice in public health and women’s rights.
Dr. Ferdowsi’s contributions to the field of gender studies are informed by her extensive background in sociology, social anthropology, and women’s studies. She is dedicated to driving change through innovative, interdisciplinary research that bridges the gap between technology, social science, and public health.
Research Interests and Expertise
Dr. Lubna Ferdowsi’s research focuses on public health, gender equality, mental health, climate change, and AI in epidemiology, with an emphasis on marginalized communities. Using interdisciplinary methods such as qualitative research, intersectionality, and cultural consensus modeling, her work addresses gender-based violence, mental health, and the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, particularly refugees and women in disaster-prone areas.Key
Achievements
Dr. Ferdowsi has led impactful research that informs policy on public health, gender rights, and climate adaptation. Her work combines social science and AI, including AI-driven studies on dengue outbreaks in Bangladesh and mental health awareness among university students, contributing to policy changes in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia and advancing women's health and rights in conflict and disaster zones.
Dr. Lubna Ferdowsi has experience teaching research methods, sociology, and gender studies across various academic programs. At Anglia Ruskin University, she taught Research Methods in Police Education, focusing on equipping students with critical research skills and ensuring alignment with national standards and legislative frameworks. She has also supervised undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, guiding students in producing high-quality dissertations.
Previously, Dr. Ferdowsi supervised postgraduate research at Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST), Bangladesh, supporting students in developing and completing their dissertations. She has also served as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Hull, contributing to postgraduate teaching in Identity Politics and Policies within sociology and social anthropology.
Her teaching approach emphasizes interdisciplinary methods, real-world application of research, and fostering critical thinking skills among students.