In this CERCLE Lecture, Professor Phaik Yeong Cheah (Professor of Global Health, University of Oxford; Head of Bioethics and Engagement, Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok) shares deep insights on how equity—not just equality—should shape global health research.
Drawing from decades of work in low-resource settings , Prof. Cheah reflects on:
- The distinction between equity and equality in research contexts
- Challenges faced by undocumented migrants and marginalised populations
- Why community engagement must go beyond tokenism
- Practical strategies to make studies inclusive and ethically sound—from decentralised trials to community advisory boards
- The importance of equitable research teams
Her message is clear: science must be accessible, inclusive, and context-sensitive.
🎓 About the CERCLE Lecture Series
This series brings leading voices in global health to discuss structural and ethical challenges in research in low-resource settings. Our goal is to amplify thoughtful, context-aware approaches that centre the needs of affected communities.
About Phaik Yeong Cheah
Prof. Cheah holds an Erasmus Mundus Masters in Bioethics and PhD in Pharmaceutics. She is a Professor at Oxford University and head of Bioethics & Engagement at the Bangkok based Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit. Her research focuses on the ethics of research in low- and middle-income settings, data sharing, and the intersection between ethics and community engagement.