Dr Taghreed El Hajj

Biography

Dr Taghreed El Hajj is a public health researcher with more than 18 years’ experience in academic and international organisations. She is passionate about using research to address real-world problems, drive policy change, and improve health and wellbeing for individuals and communities. In her current role as Knowledge Exchange and Impact Specialist, Taghreed supports the translation of research into policy and practice, particularly in the areas of tuberculosis (TB) and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

 

She works with partners in the UK, Asia and across sub-Saharan Africa to ensure that emerging evidence leads to meaningful impact. Her expertise includes qualitative and participatory research, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), capacity strengthening and research uptake. Previously she was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine’s Centre for Capacity Research, leading the MEL component of a pilot research programme. The programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Royal Society, aimed to strengthen research capacity of higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. Taghreed also collaborated with London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and academic partners in Lebanon on strengthening institutional research capacity.

 

Her interest in sexual and reproductive health and rights, stigma, and gender motivated her earlier work as a HIV Officer on Stigma at the International Planned Parenthood Federation in London and as a freelance consultant with Watipa Community Interest Company. Earlier in her career, she spent over six years as a Research Assistant and Senior Research Assistant at the American University of Beirut, where she worked on public health topics including mental health among young refugees, tobacco control, and sexual health.

 

Research interests

Taghreed’s research interests centre on sociological and public health issues, including sexual health, gender, mental health, stigma and discrimination, health and social risks, and the social determinants of health. She is particularly focused on driving change through approaches that enable individuals and communities to shape their own health outcomes including participatory and implementation research, health promotion, advocacy and stakeholder engagement. She is also interested in capacity strengthening, research uptake and policy change, ensuring that research is effectively used to inform decision-making.

Teaching

Taghreed supervises master’s students at LSTM, providing guidance on research design, methodology, evidence synthesis and academic writing. She also sits on the Progress Assessment Panel for postgraduate research students, offering feedback and academic support to ensure their successful progression.

Selected research publications

Gender-Equitable Access to Tuberculosis Care and Prevention in Malawi: A Political Economy Analysis: A Political Economy Analysis – Journal: World Medical & Health Policy – Published: 4th April 2025

How an international research programme can contribute to improvements in the research environment: the perspective of doctoral students in sub-Saharan Africa – Journal: F1000Research – Published: 24th June 2024

How research consortia can contribute to improvements in PhD students’ research environment and progress in sub-Saharan African countries – Journal: F1000Research – Published: 24th June 2024

How international research consortia can strengthen organisations’ research systems and promote a conducive environment and culture – Journal: BMJ Global Health – Published: 7th April 2023

The perception of risk in contracting and spreading COVID-19 amongst individuals, households and vulnerable groups in England: a longitudinal qualitative study – Journal: BMC Public Health – Published: 5th April 2023

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