‘I hate
seeing people
excluded and
marginalised.’
Dr ALISON STRANG
SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW,
INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
I’m Dr Alison Strang, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for
International Health and Development at Queen Margaret University.
I hate seeing people excluded
and marginalised. This is reflected
in my work with communities
affected by conflict and disaster,
as well as refugees and asylum
seekers. I use qualitative methods
to explore the ways people make
sense of their own lives, and
communicate findings with service
providers and policymakers.
O
E
R A T I N G
L
B
WOMEN
RESEARCHERS
INSPIRING
RESEARCH CAR EER
JOURNEYS
Sometimes this involves developing a conceptual model,
other times a practical tool. I get most satisfaction when
I see that research leads to changes in practice! I am
closely involved in policy and practice through leading
the humanitarian online ‘Mental Health and Psychosocial
Support Network’, and ‘New Scots: Integrating Refugees in
Scotland’s Communities’ strategy.
I was first inspired by Dr Eunice Belbin, my first employer,
who was a pioneer woman researcher in the 1950s. She
and her husband developed the influential ‘Belbin Team
Roles’ management model. She taught me to believe in
myself, trust my instincts and keep going until I could see
the impact of my efforts.