Yusra Shawar

Yusra Shawar is an Associate Research Professor at the Department of International Health within the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. She also holds a joint courtesy appointment at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Her research focuses on the global governance of health, the politics of health policy processes in low- and middle-income countries, and the role of epistemic communities in shaping health agendas.

• Primary Affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Additional Affiliation: Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

Dr. Shawar earned her PhD from American University (2016), MPH from the University of Virginia (2009), and BA from the University of Virginia (2008). She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice.

Her research investigates the political dynamics behind global health priorities, including surgery, urban health, early childhood development, and rheumatic heart disease. She explores how knowledge-based networks influence policy decisions and implementation, particularly targeting vulnerable populations in low-income settings. Recent work includes collaborations with institutions in Lebanon, Jordan, the West Bank, Mongolia, and Nigeria.

Dr. Shawar's recent publications highlight trends in global health governance, child welfare systems, and policy advocacy. She has contributed to The Lancet series on early childhood development and gender norms in global health.

Scientific Awards:

• International Studies Association, Global Health Section Best Early Investigator Paper Prize (2019)

Her funded projects include support from Save the Children USA, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Center for Global Health at the University of Virginia, the Office of the Provost at American University, Stanford University, USAID, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, and the Oak Foundation.