Dr Maria Berta Ecija, BA MA PhD

Profile

I joined the Wolfson Institute of Population Health in 2021. I am Lecturer in Global Health, currently teaching Health Inequalities and Social Determinants of Health.

My research focuses on understanding the relationship between international relations and health, through the lenses of Global Health Diplomacy, under the South-South Cooperation umbrella. I am particularly interested in looking at the different power nexus embedded in international health cooperation agreements and agendas (security; human rights and social justice; commerce and trade). My research focus within this context mainly addresses the role of Brazil as a global health player and its relations with the PALOPs.

Latest research activity: Brazil Accelerator Fund

The use of expertise for evidence informed policy making

A quantitative and qualitative analysis of experts input and credibility in the formulation of policies in the realm of social policy, environmental policy, and public health in Brazil.

Seed funding partnership: Queen Mary University of London, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (Brazil), Fundacao Getulio Vargas (Brazil).

Research

Research Interests:

• Foreign policy and health
• South-South cooperation in health
• International technical cooperation in health
• Global health diplomacy
• Brazilian foreign policy in health
• HIV/AIDS international cooperation

Publications

Featured publications

Book

Ecija, M.B. (2023) “Global Health Diplomacy: Lessons from Brazilian health cooperation in Mozambique”. Anthem Press Publisher, London. October, 2023. anthempress.com/regional-and-area-studies/books/the-drivers-and-outcomes-of-global-health-diplomacy-pdf

Book Chapters

Luiz, J.; Ecija, MB, (2022b) “Brazilian engagement in Multilateral Venues through Health and Rural development policies.”, forthcoming in Brazil and China Policy Diffusion, edited by Dr. Osmany Porto and Dr. Giulia Romano (Palgrave Macmillan)

Other Publications

Ecija, MB. (2022). Podcast: Our World: We got this: In conversation about how foreign policy interacts with health. King’s College London. Host: Anthony Pereira. shows.acast.com/worldwegotthis/episodes/in-conversation-about-how-foreign-policy-is-intertwined-with

Ecija, M.B. (2021). ‘Brazil and COVID-19: How did it get so bad?’. King’s Brazil Institute Blog. (King’s College London).

Ecija, M.B. (2021). ‘Revisiting past lessons from HIV/AIDS to combat Covid-19 in Brazil’. Revista: Problemas Brasileiros. (Journal of Brazilian Affairs).

Ecija, MB. (2021). Hora de revisitar as boas licoes do passado. Revista: Problemas Brasileiros. revistapb.com.br/artigos/hora-de-revisitar-as-boas-licoes-do-passado/