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A head and shoulders photo of Sopuruchukwu Obiesie

Sopuruchukwu Obiesie (IHTM 2019)

Consultant developing methods for economic evaluations of social interventions for children. Doctoral student in the Department of Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation, University of Oxford.

Why IHTM?

I applied for IHTM at a point in my career where I yearned to understand the underlying drivers of disparate health outcomes across countries. Securing a fully funded offer was one of the highlights of my career. 

Impact

At first, I started IHTM keen on health policy and system research. However, I was soon drawn to the long-term influences of social factors on health and the potential for social policies to address development outcomes for children, beyond improving survival. This is a testament to the robust and rich in-class learning and discussions that is the structure of this global health programme.

By leveraging on the networks and placement opportunities that IHTM provided during my studies, I have experienced a remarkable growth in my research career and personal development. Since graduating in 2020, I have worked as a consultant in the academic sector developing methods for economic evaluations of social interventions for children. At present, I am back to Oxford as a doctoral student in the Department of Social Intervention and Policy evaluation funded by a Barnett-Nuffield Scholarship. My dissertation will focus on identifying potential high-yield social interventions for adolescents and young adults in Nigeria with impacts across multiple Sustainable Development Goals objectives.

Outside my research work, I have tried to give back to my local community. I have organised in-person workshops for teachers at a local school and an online workshop for mothers on the use of positive discipline approaches for education and parenting. This was made possible through the communication, presentation and organisation skills I honed during IHTM.

The last word

"I am inspired by the calibre and passion of the teachers and mentors that I had the opportunity to interact with on IHTM. I remain grateful for the continued support of the department and strong alumni body even beyond the programme. IHTM is an MSc programme, and a one-year leadership and personal development package in one."