Rosalind McCollum is a health systems researcher with 19 years of health-related experience including research, clinical, and humanitarian project management. In her current role as Senior Research Associate within the Mental Health, Inclusion, Neglected Tropical Diseases and Disability team at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), she works with partners in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the UK using participatory action research approaches, to bring about evidence-based changes for policy and practice.

Before starting her current role at LSTM, Rosalind’s previous work included humanitarian response work with MEDAIR and Concern Worldwide, with roles including Humanitarian Advisor and Project Manager in Iraq and Health Advisor – Ebola Response in Sierra Leone. She has also worked with Concern Worldwide to support health systems strengthening programmes in Sierra Leone and Rwanda, and previously carried out clinical work as a Foundation Doctor in the NHS.

Rosalind’s PhD explored the implications of process, power and politics of devolution for community health and equity in Kenya. Building on this learning, her current research seeks to consider power and how this shapes co-production, and ultimately health equity. She is passionate about considering power dynamics when working together with people with lived experience (either experience of a chronic condition and/or the experiences of health workers as they carry out their role) to promote meaningful engagement that leads to sustainable ways to strengthen person-centred care.

Rosalind’s research interests include participatory action research, community engagement and involvement and health equity, particularly for studies that seek to strengthen person-centred care for those affected by skin neglected tropical diseases (including REDRESS and IMAGINE in Ghana), as well as studies that seek to improve mental wellbeing for Community Health Workers (such as SHINE).