Meena Khatwa

Dr. Meena Khatwa is a Lecturer in Social Policy at the UCL Social Research Institute, within the UCL Institute of Education. She is based in the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information (EPPI) Centre and has been working at UCL since 2014. Her academic background includes a PhD in Sociology from Queen Mary University of London and a BA Hons in Sociology from Middlesex University.

Research Interests: Dr. Khatwa's expertise centers on qualitative methods, qualitative evidence synthesis, stakeholder engagement, and participatory research. Her portfolio focuses on social and health inequalities among vulnerable and marginalized communities, with particular emphasis on minoritised ethnic populations, gender, migration histories, identity formation, and wellbeing. She employs postcolonial and black feminist theoretical frameworks in her work.

Publications Focus: Her recent research output demonstrates a strong emphasis on systematic reviews and evidence synthesis, particularly in areas of public health policy, social services, and qualitative methodologies. Key themes include mental health interventions, trauma-informed care, health equity, and community-based research approaches, often focusing on vulnerable populations.

Awards & Recognition:

• UCL Grand Challenges Mental Health & Wellbeing Network & Community Building funding (2024)
• UCL Public Policy Fellowship funded by Research England QR SPF (2024)

Academic Leadership: Dr. Khatwa serves as Programme Director for MSc Social Policy and Research. She currently supervises PhD students researching Chinese migrant workers and gender identity across diasporas. She holds multiple UCL leadership roles including Co-lead of the UCL Menopause Network, Wellbeing Champion, and Mental Health First Aider. Her grants primarily focus on mental health initiatives and public policy development.