Bertie’s primary research interest is in providing evidence that can lead to actions that increase access to TB services. This disease is a major killer and cause of ill health around the world and disproportionately affects people who live in poverty. His focus is on improving patient pathways to person-centred clinical care. He leads and supports multi-disciplinary teams in research that integrates new TB diagnostics in health systems and promotes linkage and concordance with TB care. Together they work to overcome unfair barriers to health service access for poor and disadvantaged populations with a strong focus on those with TB. They recognise the intersections between sex, gender, health and poverty that must be addressed in order to reduce the incidence, mortality and catastrophic costs caused by TB.

Bertie teaches on postgraduate courses on clinical and public health aspects of TB as well as other infections of major consequence in low- and middle-income countries such as schistosomiasis. He co-supervises PhD candidates who bring novel ideas to different disciplinary approaches in TB research including community engagement, clinical research, health economic evaluation, and implementation research.