Karl Blanchet

Professor Karl Blanchet is Director of the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies and Academic Director of InZone, a joint initiative between Université de Genève and The Graduate Institute (IHEID). His work focuses on humanitarian public health and health systems research in conflict zones and displacement settings. He leads major projects such as the Impact of Attacks on Healthcare (RIAH) consortium and co-chairs the Lancet Migration European Regional Hub, addressing migration health equity in Europe.

Research Interests: Blanchet’s research spans health systems resilience, healthcare in armed conflicts, migration health, and evidence-based policy design. He co-developed Afghanistan’s Integrated Package of Essential Health Services, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and collaborates with WHO, MSF, and UN agencies. His work emphasizes system thinking approaches to strengthen health systems against shocks like epidemics, economic crises, and political instability.

Key Projects:

• Leading Afghanistan case studies in RIAH (funded by UK FCDO)
• Co-PI for SYSTAC Europe (WHO Health Policy Systems Research)
• BRANCH Consortium for women’s/children’s health in conflict

Advocacy & Grants: Blanchet has secured funding from major donors like Gates Foundation and UK FCDO. His work advocates for healthcare worker protection in Gaza, Sudan, and Myanmar, and addresses systemic barriers to migrant health access in Europe. He chairs global initiatives like the Lancet Migration Hub and contributes to WHO policy frameworks on health systems resilience.

Academic Leadership: Teaches courses on humanitarian health systems at ISG, including modules on NCDs in crises, sexual violence response, and planetary health. His team includes researchers like Audrey Mahieu and Rosemary Jouhaud.