Dr Stephen McCall

Biography

Stephen is an Assistant Professor of Public Health Practice at the American University of Beirut and holds an honorary position at the University of Aberdeen. He also serves as the acting director for the Center for Research on Population and Health, which leads and supports methodologically robust research to improve health and well-being at the intersection of population and health in Lebanon, and the Arab region. His research has focused on the social and structural determinants of health for vulnerable populations, including refugees, pregnant women, and older adults. Recently he has focused his research on the generation of longitudinal data through complex sampling designs to answer social epidemiological questions.  

Stephen gained his DPhil (PhD) in Population Health from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford. His research focused on severe and rare complications of pregnancy using international surveillance systems.  Stephen also holds an MSc in Global Health Science from the University of Oxford and a BSc in Geography with First-class Honours from the University of Aberdeen.

During his BSc degree programme, he became an intern at the Epidemiology Group, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen. After graduation, he was employed as a research assistant for the epidemiology group, under the supervision of Dr Sohinee Bhattacharya. During this time he commenced work on projects led by Professor Phyo Myint at the Aberdeen Gerontological and Epidemiological INter-disciplinary Research Group, Epidemiology Group, University of Aberdeen.

Prizes and Awards

Hulme Scholar, Brasenose College, University of Oxford

Highest ranked poster at the Annual Scientific Meeting for the Society for Social Medicine and Population Health, Liverpool, 2021

Research Overview

Stephen's main research focus includes topics within global health and reproductive and maternal health. Recently, he has a growing interest in the overlap between women's health and non-communicable diseases. In the Arab region, Stephen has been involved in a variety of studies including humanitarian response and health of refugees, maternal mortality and morbidity, and quality of maternity care.

Past Research

Postdoctoral research associate, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford. 

Line manager: Prof Ed Juszczak and Dr Chris Gale (Imperial College London). 

Project: Using electronic health records and registries for clinical trials - creating of a CONSORT extension. 

DPhil in Population Health, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, October 2015-2018: Awarded the Medical Sciences Graduate School Studentship.

Supervisors: Professor Marian Knight and Professor Jennifer Kurinczuk.

Title: Improving the prevention and outcomes of severe complications of pregnancy through international comparative and collaborative studies.

Collaborations

• NPEU, Oxford
• EPOPé , INSERM, Paris
• Prof. Dr. T van Den Akker,  Leiden University Medical Center

Funding and Grants

• Changing vulnerabilities and COVID-19 adherence: old refugees in Lebanon. R2HC - ELRHA.
• Placenta Accreta Spectrum in a Lebanese public referral centre. University Research Board, American University of Beirut.
• Assessing the content of antenatal and postnatal care in Lebanon. University Research Board, American University of Beirut.

Teaching Responsibilities

TEACHING INTERESTS

Stephen supervises students in quantitative data analysis projects and systematic reviews. Stephen has supervised students from a variety of disciplines, which have included medical students and students reading for Master's or Bachelor's degrees. A number of these students have published their work in peer-reviewed journals.

I welcome postgraduate student applications that will address relevant women health issues in MENA or global health settings.