Katherine Tumlinson

Katherine (Kat) Tumlinson, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of North Carolina's Gillings School of Global Public Health, and a Faculty Fellow at the Carolina Population Center. Her research focuses on global reproductive justice, particularly improving contraceptive access in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through systems-level interventions.

Dr. Tumlinson holds a PhD in Epidemiology from UNC (2014) and an MA in International Development from Brandeis University (2007). Her work combines quantitative and qualitative methods, emphasizing stakeholder engagement to ensure research aligns with in-country priorities. Notable studies include investigations into health system barriers to contraceptive access in Kenya and Burkina Faso, provider motivation dynamics, and innovative solutions to address provider absenteeism.

Her research portfolio includes 20+ peer-reviewed publications in journals like Studies in Family Planning and BMC Health Services Research. Key themes include provider-imposed barriers, contraceptive coercion, and the impact of informal payments on healthcare access. She has served as Principal Investigator on studies funded by the Packard Foundation and UNC's Innovation Awards.

Dr. Tumlinson's service activities include roles on the MPH Admissions Committee and the Gillings Faculty Equity Collective. Her honors include the IBM Junior Faculty Award (2020) and the Berton H. Kaplan Award (2015). She maintains active collaborations with global health organizations and policy makers to translate research into actionable interventions.