Sarsour, Amal

Amal Sarsour is a Visiting Research Fellow at UNU-CRIS since 15 September 2021. She will conduct a scoping review on the health status and health needs of migrants in the context of climate change and regional governance strategies in close collaboration with Ilse Ruyssen.

Her research intends to compile and synthesize the existing literature on the relation between climate change and the health status, health needs, and social patterns of climate-related migrants as well as challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation and agreements.  The review aims to shed light on the real-life challenges migrants face in meeting their health needs and aims to better understand the role of regional governance challenges and strategies to protect and promote migrant’s health in the context of climate change.

Amal has been working part-time voluntary commitment in the department of public health and primary care – at KU Leuven- Centre for Environment and Health since August 2019. Amal researches Environment and public health. She is studying the changes in the microbiome among newly arrived migrants (from developing countries) in Belgium.

Also, she is a member of the steering committee of International Thematic Network CliMigHealth at Gent University from November 2020 until present.

Previously, Amal Sarsour held academic positions and was a supervisor for Master Students in the field of environment and public health at the University of Al Azhar University and the University of Al Quds- Palestine. Additionally, she worked as a freelance research consultant and training specialist with different national and international organizations work in Palestine. She coordinated and participated in important projects and activities related to the environment and public health among the Palestinian community.