I have an interdisciplinary background in the fields of Applied Medical Science and Policy Studies (Public Health, International Relations, Policy Studies and Health Sociology). Before turning academic, I worked many years in Humanitarian and Development Aid in various countries in Asia with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. I also worked with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) supporting migrants in vulnerbale situations in Austria.

My research goal is to combine practical and academic expertise in analysing policy-implementation/ theory-reality gaps related to Social Inequity, Global Health, and Migration Policies with focus on implementation processes on organisational level. I use rigorous and reflective qualitative and interpretative methodologies and believe in their explanatory power in analysing complex policy issues. I am a strong advocate of participatory approaches, public and patient involvement in research and action research, but at the same time aware and reflective of their limits and pitfalls.

Currently, I am developing a participatory action research that investigates how pro-vulnerable population policies become implemented and institutionalised in public as well as not-for-profit organisations applying Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) as a theoretical framework in the field of Implementation Science (IS). The project is being developed in cooperation with Professor Anne MacFarlane at the University of Limerick, Ireland, who has expertise in community and civic engagement in research and teaching, Public and Patient Involvement in Research and also hosts the WHO Collaborating Centre for Migrant’s Involvement in Health Research.

I have more than 10 years of teaching experiences at under- and postgraduate level in: Development Studies, Global Health, Social and Health Inequity, and Qualitative Methodologies. I also conduct trainings and seminars on Participatory Project Planning and Participatory Logical Framework approach to NGOs, government workers and students willing to learn practical skills.