Dr Sarah White

Biography

Sarah White completed her PhD at the University of Nottingham and gained experience in clinical trials in the pharmaceutical industry. She then spent two decades living in Africa working in biomedical statistics. This provided valuable opportunities to broaden her understanding of cultural and logistic contexts in which biomedical research in some low- and middle-income countries is conducted. Her roles included teaching (statistics and biomedical students) at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, being a clinical trial statistician, supporting a Master of Public Health programme, managing data management staff, and serving on a research ethics committee. Sarah joined the Department of International Public Health at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) to focus on supporting research in maternal and newborn health, an area that was particularly prominent in her work in Africa. Within LSTM she has also worked in several multinational teams based in Africa. Sarah peer reviews publications for several journals. 

Research interests

Sarah has designed and analysed data for several randomised controlled clinical trials, including trials which involve randomisation of clusters to study arms or steps. She developed a novel multi-dimensional stepped wedge design to assess the impact of conducting standards based audits. Sarah primarily uses stata software for analysis, but also supports the use of SPSS, and is developing her skills in use of the R environment. 

Selected research publications

Perspectives on multimorbidity care provision among public hospital-based healthcare workers in Blantyre and Chiradzulu, Malawi A qualitative study – Journal: PLoS ONE – Published: 2nd April 2026

Acute breathlessness as a cause of hospitalisation in Malawi: A prospective, patient-centred study to evaluate causes and outcomes – Journal: Thorax – Published: 10th September 2025

The burden of multimorbidity-associated acute hospital admissions in Malawi and Tanzania: a prospective multicentre cohort study – Journal: The Lancet Global Health – Published: 25th July 2025

Protocol: Effectiveness of Sexual and Reproductive Health Blended Learning Approaches for Capacity Strengthening of Health Professionals in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Systematic Review – Journal: Campbell Systematic Reviews – Published: 11th March 2025

Improving capacity for advanced training in obstetric surgery: evaluation of a blended learning approach – Journal: BMC Medical Education – Published: 17th January 2025

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