THE GLOBAL RESEARCHERS BEHIND ECRC
The ECRC Team is one that continues to evolve and adapt alongside the global pandemic. The team started as a small group of researchers dedicated to reviewing the rapidly changing COVID-19 literature emerging, as well as to interview participants to better understand their lived experiences with the virus. The group has since rapidly grown, with Dr. Michelle King-Okoye implementing her vision for projects that extend well-beyond research to capture the difficulties experienced with accessing care, and to give a voice to those affected by the pandemic. The ECRC researchers are located across the globe, such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Africa and Australia. The blue highlighted areas on the map below represents the locations of the researchers on the team:
The skills and experiences of the researchers are diverse, such as anthropology, health sciences, medicine, sociology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, arts and acting, mental health, software programming, epidemiology, public health, health inequalities, behavioural sciences, evidence based medicine and ethnography. Here are a few researchers working alongside (including) Dr. King-Okoye:
Michelle King-Okoye
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"I am privileged to be working alongside other researchers and academics who are equally passionate towards supporting communities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This disease has impacted the world physically, mentally, psychologically, economically and socially, creating uncertainty towards the future. Some members of our team have lost their loved ones and were personally affected by Covid-19 and managing the effects of Long Covid. I am equally inspired to see researchers from all over the world embracing ECRC's vision"
Daniel Burdo
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"Global problems require informed solutions, and with COVID-19 continuing to wreak havoc on such a global scale, it's vital to understand how it affects various groups of people differently. It is exciting to work on a team so diverse in both background and expertise in bringing to light the voices and stories of those that COVID-19 has affected personally. I am honored to be collaborating on research that will provide clarity and help guide future policies to heal communities at large."
Tomasz Chwalek
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“Studies of the lived experience of COVID-19 are an urgent need, not least in order to devise and refine public policies. Working in the team headed by Dr King-Okoye gives me a chance to take up the worldwide fight against the pestilence. For that end, I am happy to deploy the skills I received in my training as anthropologist and ethnographer.”
Dr Keerthi Dubbala
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"COVID 19 has exposed the lapses in healthcare and public health systems world wide. Ethnic minorities have been proven to be at a great disadvantage. This also created an opportunity to work on these lapses and work towards health equity. I am honoured and excited to be a part of this consortium of highly competent and ambitious researchers and address these issues."
Anna Greszta
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​​“As an anthropologist, I am honoured to take part in this urgent and vital multidisciplinary project. Explorations of lived experiences open up great possibilities of finding truths both about how COVID-19 has influenced individuals’ lives, but also about the world we live in.”
Jane Harrison
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“I feel deeply honoured as a non scientist to be asked to join this research group. My experience of being a Covid-19 Long -Hauler, and my background in the Arts, will I hope bring another perspective to this essential project. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to help others who have experienced the struggle with this disease."
Andrea Marañón Laguna
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"It is an honor to contribute to this study and work with multidisciplinary researchers to understand the health disparities among marginalized communities and to provide a give a multivocal perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic"
Ponn P. Mahayosnand, MPH
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"Dr. Michelle has a unique ability to capitalize on the specialized skills and experiences of our interdisciplinary global team. By doing so, she motivates us all. We are all committed to researching critical peoples of critical need, while contributing to the overall project in our own individualized ways. I am honored and proud to be representing Muslims and seeking out their experiences to better serve their current health needs."
Dr Luke McGeoch
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“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact upon BAME communities worldwide. There is a growing consensus that structural factors are likely to be influential in shaping the differences observed between ethnic and racial groups. This groundbreaking study, which brings together the experience and skills of academics from a range of professional backgrounds, will take a holistic approach to investigating why people of colour have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic.”
Dorotheah Obiri
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"COVID-19 cannot be tackled independently. We all have a role to play in understanding this pandemic and to effectively manage and adapt to it. This is why I am delighted to be involved with the multidisciplinary team at the ECRC. Together we can find the answers to ensure "healthy lives for all."
Dr Ashwin Pillai
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"As a medical doctor with 14 years of experience as a general physician in the Middle East and India, I am honoured to be part of this team. I also wish to be a psychiatrist and work for better mental healthcare. I look forward to being involved in ECRC projects."
Jesse Rucquoi
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"This pandemic has shown me the disturbing reality that health equity is still a privilege, not an expectation, in some of the most developed countries. It is an honor to be a part of a research project that seeks to address and publicize the experiences of our brothers and sisters."
Dr Catherine Rycroft
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"I feel honoured to be part of this highly skilled and motivated team of researchers in helping to understand the stark disparities that exist regarding the devastating impact of COVID-19 on BAME populations. It is my hope that the research will help in tackling existing inequalities, not only in relation to COVID-19, but in wider healthcare matters in the future."
Dr Mary Alice Scott
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“I am honored to be part of this interdisciplinary, international group of researchers who are concerned about the inequitable effects of COVID-19 on marginalised communities. The work we do can help us to change health policy globally to move towards health equity, and that work is really exciting to be part of.”
Zheng Song, MSc
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"I am joining the COVID-19 research project aiming to improve patient personal experience and contribute to advance scientific knowledge for healthcare policy, education and associated research."
Karlene Stoby, MSc
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"As someone working in the public health sector in mental health, I am delighted to be part of the team conducting such important and influential research on BAME communities"
Talya Underwood, MPhil
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"We urgently need to understand why people from ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. It’s a privilege to work alongside this team of multidisciplinary researchers to better understand the reasons behind these disparities and give a voice to people from ethnic minorities who have been affected by COVID-19."