About
Dr. Madeleine Power is a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow and Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York. She holds a BA in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge, an MSc in Social Policy Research from the London School of Economics, and a PhD in Health Sciences from York. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on the intersection of poverty, food systems, and health inequalities.
Power leads participatory research with governments, NGOs, and communities to address policy challenges in health equity. Her expertise spans:
- The lived experience and health impacts of food insecurity
- Marginalization in food charity systems
- Social security policy analysis
- Critical race and feminist approaches to health governance
- Participatory action methodologies
Her recent publications demonstrate strong focus on food justice (48% of articles), participatory methods (27%), and health inequalities (25%). Research frequently employs mixed methods (73%) and emphasizes policy applications (92% of studies). A notable trend is the critical examination of racialized governance in welfare systems across 6 recent studies.
Awards & Recognition:
- Wellcome Trust Fellowship in Humanities and Social Science (2021-2025)
Research Leadership: Power directs multiple projects including:
- Changing Realities (documenting low-income experiences)
- Fair Food Futures (NIHR-funded community food solutions)
- Food for Thought (Wellcome-funded study on ethnic variations in food insecurity)
Public Engagement: As trustee of the Independent Food Aid Network and founder of York Food Justice Alliance, Power bridges academic research and community action. Her work has been featured in BBC, The Guardian, and national policy debates.
