Global Ethnicity, Migration and Health (GEMAH) Research Group

Our goal is to build a reputation for raising the profile of migrant and ethnic inequalities in health as a fundamental aspect of health inequality requiring specific, sustained attention. We apply that knowledge to the iterative development of interventions to improve health which prioritises the perspectives of underserved communities.

Our background

Our research approach encompasses a range of theoretical lenses, within an overarching inequalities framework, including community-based participatory research, behaviour change and socio-ecological theories. This approach also acknowledges the importance of class, gender and wider social, economic and environmental conditions which, taken together, shape differences in health status, health related behaviours and access to healthcare. Intersecting with this multiplicity of factors, the role of ethnic inequalities, as a key driver of health inequalities, is a central feature of our work. While our focus is on nutrition as a risk factor and outcome, we examine a broad range of health and wellbeing areas requiring interrogation by migrant status and/ or ethnic group identity. Our interests also extend to the health of indigenous/ aborigine populations who are racially minoritised in their home countries, and that of internal migrants.

Our staff have expertise in quantitative, qualitative and multimethod approaches, as well as a significant collective number of years’ experience in public health nutrition, dietetics, food science, social science and epidemiology.

Equally important to our empirical work are the engagement and understanding of the public, addressing the needs of long established and newly created minoritised communities, including those seeking sanctuary in the UK. Addressing systemic disadvantage in these groups is likely to also benefit the disadvantaged among the White British majority.