Rachel Baker

Rachel Baker is a Professor of Health Economics and Director of the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University. She holds a BA in Economics and Social Policy and a PhD from Newcastle University. Her research focuses on societal values in healthcare resource allocation, using mixed methods including Q methodology and economic valuation techniques. She has led major projects like the MRC-funded study on societal perspectives of life-extending treatments for terminal illnesses (2011–2014) and collaborates internationally on topics such as microfinance and health equity (FinWell) and community-led health initiatives (CommonHealth). Rachel is a member of the Wellcome Trust Expert Review Group and former President of the International Q Methodology Society.

Her work addresses health inequalities through studies on Universal Basic Income, financial wellbeing in low-income groups, and the impact of community-led organizations. Key contributions include frameworks for health technology assessment, realist evaluation methods, and policy analysis on pandemic responses (e.g., UK/Scotland’s handling of COVID-19).

Rachel has secured grants from the Medical Research Council (MRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and UK Research and Innovation. Her research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health equity and poverty reduction.