Sara Van Belle

Sara Van Belle is an Adjunct Faculty member at the Institute of Public Health, affiliated with the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM). She holds an Honorary Assistant Professorship at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2018-2021) and has held visiting roles at institutions including the University of Antwerp and Sciences Po Paris. Her research focuses on health systems governance, accountability mechanisms, sexual and reproductive health rights, and realist evaluation methodologies. Van Belle has over 20 years of experience in programme management and research across low- and middle-income countries, with a particular emphasis on global health policy and systems research.

**Education**: She earned a PhD in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2014), specializing in accountability in sexual and reproductive health. Previous degrees include a Postgraduate in Public Health (2009), MA in Political Science/International Relations (2000), and BA in Political and Social Sciences (1995), all from European universities.

**Research Interests**: Her work bridges health policy analysis, governance structures, and innovative methodologies like realist evaluation. Current projects include studies on urban health governance, adolescent health accountability in India, and maternal mortality reduction using AI in Morocco. She actively contributes to capacity-building initiatives in global health research through fellowships like the India HPSR program.

**Grants/Projects**: Lead investigator on high-impact projects such as YoPAAPE (EU-funded) and Msichana/Chakti (Flanders Fund), focusing on participatory health interventions and SRHR accountability. Engages with organizations like WHO, UNFPA, and GIZ in policy evaluations.

**Teaching**: Course leader for advanced health policy courses at ITM and Sciences Po Paris, specializing in governance frameworks and global health systems analysis.