Dr Sadiq Bhanbhro PhD, MPH, MScPH, MSc
Senior Research Fellow
Summary
I am an interdisciplinary researcher specialising in medical anthropology. My research primarily examines the intersections of culture, gender, health and climate, with a particular emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), anti-racism, gender-based violence—specifically honour-based abuse—and the social determinants of health and well-being.
About
Dr Sadiq Bhanbhro is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre of Applied Health and Social Care Research (CARe) within the School of Health and Social Care, which is part of the College of Health, Wellbeing, and Life Sciences at Sheffield Hallam University. I am a part of the Maternal and Infant Health Research Group (MIHRG) in the CARe. Sadiq is the lead and founder of a Medical Anthropology and Sociology Research Group (MASRG), co-founder and co-lead of ‘The South Asia Sex and Gender Violence Group (SASGV) and ‘Anti-Racism Research Group’.
As a trained anthropologist, sociologist, public health professional and interdisciplinary researcher, I bring a unique perspective to my work. I integrate anthropological and sociological theories, practices and methods with public health research, teaching and policy development. I take an intersectional approach, emphasising social justice and using ethnographic and participatory methods to investigate public health problems and propose new insights for pragmatic solutions.
I am actively involved in research, teaching, and supervision. I have experience securing and managing internally and externally funded research and knowledge exchange projects. I have led several local, national, and international research projects from inception to dissemination, demonstrating my ability to drive impactful research on a global scale. I have demonstrated experience in collaborating by contributing to numerous projects as a co-investigator or team member. I led the development of international research collaborations and partnerships between the university and colleagues in Pakistan, Indonesia, and Kenya.
I have worked in various capacities with various organisations in the UK and Pakistan and completed research projects in Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines. My research has been published in high-quality journals, has five book chapters, and is not just for academia. I have made a conscious effort to share my insights with the public through platforms like Conversation UK, The Express Tribune, Dawn.com, the Friday Times, and other media outlets. This demonstrates my ability to communicate complex research in a way that is accessible and engaging for all, ensuring that everyone can benefit from my work. Sadiq is a co-editor of the book ‘Anti-Racist Nursing and Midwifery: A Guide for Students, Practitioners and Educators’ (Critical Publishing June 2025).
Sadiq, as a Co-Investigator for the UKRI-AHRC funded Nursing Narratives project, contributed to filmmaking to produce the documentary “Exposed”, which combines the stories of 19 Black, brown and migrant nurses and midwives to speak about their powerful experiences of racism before and during the pandemic. Since its release (March 2022), Exposed has been screened at 35 locations in the UK and abroad.
Sadiq prepared and submitted the written evidence on understanding honour crimes to the UK Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee (March 22, 2023). The committee acknowledged the value of the ideas presented in the statement by accepting it and publishing it on its website as a prominent source to promote a nuanced understanding of honour crimes.
Teaching
School of Health and Social Care
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Health and Social Care
Public Health
Research
Current projects
- PI: Birthing at Burning Places: An ethnographic exploration of intersections among climate-linked risks, maternal nutritional health, and cultural practices in Sindh Pakistan. Wellcome Trust Accelerator Award (313810/Z/24/Z).
- PI: Healthier Communities Together: A Realist Evaluation of Type 2 Diabetes Action Hub (TAH Evaluation). Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS).
- PI: Developing a Collaborative Research Network to Identify Research Priorities in Maternal and Infant Nutritional Health Risks Linked to Climate Change in Pakistan. Academy of Medical Sciences' Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) (GCRFNGR8\1303).
Completed projects
- Co-I: A complex Programme evaluation of the role of community organisations in enabling health promotion and developing population health approaches in relation to people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS).
- Co-I: The development and delivery of a whole systems implementation and evaluation research collaborative, focussing on older adult population health and wellbeing across the Sheffield City Region. Sheffield Institute of Policy Studies (SIPS)– Levelling Up Fund.
- Co-I: Enhancing the Impact of Nursing Narrative project. Funder: Sheffield Institute of Policy Studies (SIPS).
- PI: Birmingham and Lewisham Black African and Black Caribbean Health Inequalities Review (BLACHIR): Wider Determinants of Health Theme. Public Health Division, Birmingham City Council.
- Co-I: Nursing Narratives – Racism and the Pandemic. UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
- PI: Maternal and Infant Health and Nutrition in Indonesia: An interdisciplinary workshop exploring opportunities and challenges for collaborative research, policy and practice development. Newton Fund - British Council.
- PI: An Exploration of the notions of Honour and shame in Islam and their relations to Honour Killings of Women and Girls in Pakistan and within the Pakistani community in the UK. Association for Sociology of Religion.
- PI: An Ethnographic Study of Maternal Nutrition and Health in Minangkabau: A Matrilineal Community of Indonesia. British Council.
- Project Lead: Rehabilitation Effectiveness and Activities for Life (REAL): Realistic Evaluation. NIHR.
- Co-I: History and Well-being: An Exploration of Motives for and Benefits of Participation in Community History. Imagine (SHU).
- Team member: Recommendations for exercise adherence measures: Findings from a systematic review and consensus workshop. Physiotherapy Research Foundation Award.
- Co-I: The characteristics and development of resilient communities: A realist synthesis. Public Health Rotherham.
Clients
- Aga Khan University (AKU) Karachi Pakistan
- Andalas University Padang Indonesia
- British Council
- British Academy
- City University London
- Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
- Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
- Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan
- International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP)
- Public Health Sheffield
- Public Health Rotherham
- National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Sindh University Sindh Pakistan
- Quaid-i-Azam University Pakistan
- University of Central Lancashire
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
Publications
Journal articles
Court, R.J., Swallow, V., El-Yousfi, S., Gray-Burrows, K., Sotir, F., Wheeler, G., ... Martin-Kerry, J. (2024). Children and young people’s preferences and needs when using health technology to self-manage a long-term condition: a scoping review. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 109 (10), 826-835. http://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2023-326044
Reed, M.S., Merkle, B.G., Cook, E.J., Hafferty, C., Hejnowicz, A.P., Holliman, R., ... Stroobant, M. (2024). Reimagining the language of engagement in a post-stakeholder world. Sustainability Science, 19, 1481-1490. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-024-01496-4
Powell, K., Fox, N.J., Bhanbhro, S., Chauhan, A., Z, A.G., Jackson, K., ... Salway, S. (2024). Sociologists in public health: marginal observers or mainstream collaborators? Perspectives in Public Health, 144 (2), 72-74. http://doi.org/10.1177/17579139231204245
Nield, L., Bhanbhro, S., Steers, H., Young, A., & Davis, S.F. (2023). Impact of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations working with underserved communities with Ttype 2 diabetes mellitus in England. Healthcare, 11 (18). http://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182499
Ramamurthy, A., Bhanbhro, S., Bruce, F., & Collier-Sewell, F. (2023). Racialised experiences of Black and Brown nurses and midwives in UK health education: A qualitative study. Nurse Education Today, 126. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105840
Bhanbhro, S., Kamal, T., Widoyo, R., Lipoeto, N.I., & Soltani, H. (2020). Factors affecting maternal nutrition and health: A qualitative study in a matrilineal community in Indonesia. PLoS One, 15 (6), e0234545. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234545
Lusambili, A., Bhanbhro, S., & Muchanga, K. (2020). Positionality, Access to the Social Space and Place of Research: Narratives from Research in Low Middle Income Settings. People, Place and Policy. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2020.6344577346
Twells, A., Furness, P., Bhanbhro, S., & Gregory, M. (2018). 'It's about giving yourself a sense of belonging’: community-based history and well-being in South Yorkshire. People, place and policy online, 12 (1), 8-28. https://extra.shu.ac.uk/ppp-online/
Boyle, P., Bhanbhro, S., & De Guzman, J.E. (2017). Universal healthcare in the Philippines and the scope for therapy and rehabilitation. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 24 (9), 403-408. http://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2017.24.9.403
Gee, M., Bhanbhro, S., Cook, S., & Killaspy, H. (2017). Rapid realist review of the evidence : achieving lasting change when mental health rehabilitation staff undertake recovery-oriented training. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 73 (8), 1775-1791. http://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13232
Mclean, S., Holden, M., Potia, T., Gee, M., Mallett, R., Bhanbhro, S., ... Haywood, K. (2017). Quality and acceptability of measures of exercise adherence in musculoskeletal settings: a systematic review. Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 56 (3), 426-438. http://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kew422
Killaspy, H., King, M., Holloway, F., Craig, T.J., Cook, S., Mundy, T., ... Bhanbhro, S. (2017). The Rehabilitation Effectiveness for Activities for Life (REAL) study: a national programme of research into NHS inpatient mental health rehabilitation services across England. Programme Grants for Applied Research, 5 (7), 1-284. http://doi.org/10.3310/pgfar05070
Whitfield, M., Bhanbhro, S., Green, G., Lewis, K., Hindle, L., & Levy, C. (2016). Developing a framework for estimating the potential impactof obesity interventions in a European city. Health Promotion International, 31 (3), 684-691. http://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dav019
Bhanbhro, S., Gee, M., Cook, S., Marston, L., Lean, M., & Killaspy, H. (2016). Recovery-based staff training intervention within mental health rehabilitation units: A two-stage analysis using realistic evaluation principles and framework approach. BMC Psychiatry, 16 (292). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-0999-y
Mclean, S., Booth, A., Gee, M., Salway, S., Cobb, M., Bhanbhro, S., & Nancarrow, S. (2016). Appointment reminder systems are effective but not optimal: results of a systematic review and evidence synthesis employing realist principles. Patient Preference and Adherence, 10, 479-499. http://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S93046
Bhanbhro, S., Cronin De Chavez, A., & Lusambili, A. (2016). Honour based violence as a global public health problem: a critical review of literature. International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, 9 (3), 198-215. http://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-10-2015-0032
Noorie, C., Weinstein, J., Ray, J., Hood, R., & Bhanbhro, S. (2014). Early experiences in extending personal budgets in one local authority. Working with Older People, 18 (4), 176-185. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/
Mclean, S., Gee, M., Booth, A., Salway, S., Nancarrow, S., Cobb, M., & Bhanbhro, S. (2014). Targeting the use of reminders and notifications for uptake by populations (TURNUP): a systematic review and evidence synthesis. Health Services and Delivery Research, 2 (34). http://doi.org/10.3310/hsdr02340
Allmark, P., Bhanbhro, S., & Chrisp, T. (2014). An argument against the focus on Community Resilience in Public Health. BMC Public Health, 14, 62. http://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-62
Bhanbhro, S., Wassan, M.R., Shah, M., Talpur, A.A., & Wassan, A.A. (2013). Karo Kari : the murder of honour in Sindh Pakistan : an ethnographic study. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 3 (7), 1467-1484. http://www.aessweb.com/
Jones, R., Bhanbhro, S., Grant, R., & Hood, R. (2013). The definition and deployment of differential core professional competencies and characteristics in multiprofessional health and social care teams. Health and Social Care in the Community, 21 (1), 47-58. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2524.2012.01086.x
Bhanbhro, S., & Bryar, R.M. (2012). The experience of using appreciative inquiry in the Patient Pathways Project. AI Practitioner, 14 (3), 61-63.
Bhanbhro, S., & Bryar, R. (2012). The experience of using appreciative inquiry in the patient pathways project. International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry, 14 (3), 61-63. http://www.aipractitioner.com/ai-practitioner-august-2012-ai-research-notes
Bhanbhro, S., Drennan, V.M., Grant, R., & Harris, R. (2011). Assessing the contribution of prescribing in primary care by nurses and professionals allied to medicine : a systematic review of literature. BMC Health Services Research, 11 (330), 1-10. http://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-11-330
Bhanbhro, S., Ramamurthy, A., Bruce, F., & Fero, K. (n.d.). Widespread racism in the UK's health and social care sector is a significant threat to public health. Population Medicine, 5 (Supplement). http://doi.org/10.18332/popmed/165684
Conference papers
Mclean, S., Holden, M., Haywood, K., Harrop, D., Potia, T., Mallett, R., & Bhanbhro, M. (2017). Exercise adherence measures – why we need to start again: Findings of a systematic review and consensus workshop. Physiotherapy.
Mclean, S., Booth, A., Gee, M., Salway, S., Cobb, M., Bhanbhro, M., & Nancarrow, S. (2017). Appointment reminder systems are effective but not optimal: Results of a systematic review and evidence synthesis employing realist principles. Physiotherapy, e103-e104.
de Chavez, A.C., Bhanbhro, S., & Lusambili, A. (2016). Honour based violence and wellbeing of women and girls of Pakistani heritage in South Yorkshire (abstract only). Injury Prevention, 22 (Suppl), A259. http://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042156.723
Homer, C., Allmark, P., Ibbotson, R., Bhanbhro, S., & Tod, A. (2015). Weight gain following stroke : its everybody's business. In UK Stroke Forum 2015, ACC Liverpool, 2015 - 2015. https://www.stroke.org.uk/events/training-conference/uk-stroke-forum-conference-2015
Bhanbhro, M.S., & Wassan, R. (2013). Stigmatization of Hijras in Pakistan: Social exclusion and sex work. CULTURE HEALTH & SEXUALITY, 15, S247.
Khan, K., Dossa, S., & Bhanbhro, S. (2006). Equity analysis by community; and addressing the unpredictable terrain. In Geneva Health Forum, Geneva, 30 August 2006 - 1 September 2006.
Homer, C., Allmark, P., Bhanbhro, S., Ibbotson, R., & Tod, A. (2014). Long term weight gain following stroke : exploring incidence and explanations. In BSA Medical Sociology Annual Conference, Aston University, Birmingham, 10 September 2014 - 12 September 2014.
Homer, C., Tod, A., Allmark, P., Bhanbhro, S., & Ibbotson, R. (2014). Weight gain after a stroke : the issue and control. In RCN 2014 Annual International Nursing Research Conference, Glasgow, 2 April 2014 - 4 April 2014. http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/research_and_innovation/rs/research2014
Mclean, S., Booth, A., Gee, M., Salway, S., Cobb, M., & Bhanbhro, M. (2015). Appointment reminder systems are effective but not optimal: results of a systematic review and evidence synthesis employing realist principles. Physiotherapy, e980-e981.
Mclean, S., Booth, A., Salway, S., Nancarrow, S., Cobb, M., Gee, M., & Bhanbhro, M. (2015). Targeting the Use of Reminders & Notifications for Uptake by Populations (TURNUP) What is the differential effectiveness of patient reminders for improving attendance, cancellation and rescheduling of appointments? A systematic review and realist synthesis. In Primary Health Care Research Conference, Adelaide, 29 July 2015 - 2015.
Mclean, S., Booth, A., Salway, S., Nancarrow, S., Cobb, M., Gee, M., & Bhanbhro, M. (2013). Targeting the Use of Reminders & Notifications for Uptake by Populations (TURNUP). In 8th Health Services and Policy Research Conference 2013, Wellington, New Zealand, 2013 - 2014.
Mclean, S., Holden, M., Haywood, K., Potia, T., Gee, M., Mallett, R., & Bhanbhro, M. (2014). Exercise adherence measures in musculoskeletal settings: A systematic review and consensus meeting. In MACP Conference 2014, 25 October 2014.
Mclean, S., Holden, M., Haywood, K., Potia, T., Gee, M., Mallett, R., & Bhanbhro, M. (2015). Exercise adherence measures – why we need to start again: Findings of a systematic review and consensus workshop. In World Congress of Physical Therapy 2015, Singapore, 1 May 2015 - 4 May 2015.
Davis, S., Bhanbhro, S., Fang, M., & Sixsmith, A. Towards a just transition: enabling older populations to mitigate the impact of climate change and maintain wellbeing. Population Medicine, 5 (Supplement). http://doi.org/10.18332/popmed/165474
Bhanbhro, F., Bhanbhro, S., & Kamal, S. Climate change and threats to public health in Pakistan: a gender analysis of vulnerable communities. Population Medicine, 5 (Supplement). http://doi.org/10.18332/popmed/165502
Book chapters
Bhanbhro, S. (2023). Honour Crimes. In Gender-Based Violence: A Comprehensive Guide. (pp. 285-297). Springer International Publishing: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05640-6_21
Bhanbhro, S. (2023). Stalking and coercive control: Commonly used strategies in honour-based abuse against young people. In Young People, Stalking Awareness and Domestic Abuse. (pp. 141-159). Springer International Publishing: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32379-9_7
Bhanbhro, S. (2023). Stalking and Coercive Control: Commonly Used Strategies in Honour-Based Abuse Against Young People. In Young People, Stalking Awareness and Domestic Abuse. (pp. 149-151). http://doi.org/10.1007/9783031323799_7
Bhanbhro, S. (2021). Brothers Who Kill: Murders of Sisters for the Sake of Family Honour in Pakistan. In Brothers and Sisters. (pp. 297-312). Springer International Publishing: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55985-4_17
Bhanbhro, S. (2015). Representation of honour killings: critical discourse analysis of Pakistani English-language newspapers. In Tomas, J., & Epple, N. (Eds.) Sexuality, oppression and human rights. Oxford: Interdisciplinary Press
Reports
Ramamurthy, A., Bhanbhro, S., Bruce, F., Gumber, A., & Fero, K. (2022). Nursing Narratives: Racism and the Pandemic - Report of Key Findings. Anti-Racism Research Group, Centre for Culture Media and Society, Sheffield Hallam University.
Bhanbhro, S., & Al-Salti, F. (2021). A rapid evidence review of wider determinants of health inequalities experienced by Black African, Black Caribbean and Black-mixed ethnicity communities in Birmingham, Lewisham and the UK.
Bhanbhro, S. (2016). Maternal and Infant Health and Nutrition in Indonesia Workshop Report.
Homer, C., Allmark, P., Bhanbhro, S., Ibbotson, R., & Tod, A. (2015). Weight gain following stroke in younger age (below 70 years) in men and women: challenges and opportunities for prevention and action. Sheffield, UK: Collaboration for Leadership in applied Health Research and Care. http://clahrc-yh.nihr.ac.uk/our-themes/public-health-and-inequalities/end-of-project-report
Allmark, P., Bhanbhro, S., & Chrisp, T. (2013). RESILIENT ROTHERHAM? NHS Rotherham.
Bhanbhro, S. (2013). Knowledge exchange exploratory visit. Sheffield Hallam University.
Bhanbhro, S., & Whitfield, M. (2012). Estimating the impact of obesity initiatives. Unpublished.
Mclean, S., Holden, M., Haywood, K., Potia, T., Gee, M., Mallett, R., & Bhanbhro, S. (n.d.). Recommendations for exercise adherence measures in musculoskeletal settings: a systematic review and consensus meeting. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Media
Ramamurthy, A., & Fero, K. (2022). EXPOSED. [Film]. Migrant Media: https://nursingnarratives.com/exposed/
Presentations
Homer, C., Allmark, P., Bhanbhro, S., Ibbotson, R., & Tod, A. (2014). Long term weight gain following stroke: exploring incidence and explanations. Presented at: Medical Sociology Annual Conference, Birmingham
Bhanbhro, S. (2014). Representations of 'honour killing' in Pakistani newspapers: a critical discourse analysis. Presented at: Why Discourse Matters? Theoretical and Methodological Practices of Discourse Analysis - 2nd Graduate conference, Frankfurt Germany, 2014
Homer, C., Allmark, P., Bhanbhro, S., Ibbotson, R., & Tod, A. (2014). Weight gain after a stroke: the issue and control. Presented at: Royal College of Nursing, Glasgow
Bhanbhro, S. (2008). Experiences of women survived in armed tribal conflict: a case study of Union Council Khuhra district Khairpur Sindh Pakistan. Presented at: The Asia Workshop on Gender, Conflict and Development “In Search of Peace and Development: Women Hold Half the Ground", Davao Philippines, 2008
Posters
Homer, C., Allmark, P., Bhanbhro, S., Ibbotson, R., & Tod, A. (2015). Weight gain following stroke: it's everybody's business. Presented at: UK stroke Forum 2015, Liverpool
Homer, C., Allmark, P., Bhanbhro, S., Ibbotson, R., & Tod, A. (2014). Long term weight gain following stroke: exploring incidence and explanations. Presented at: Health and Wellbeing Research Day, Sheffield Hallam University
Other activities
- Co-editor: People, Place and Policy
- Review editor: Life-Course Epidemiology and Social Inequalities in Health (a speciality section of Frontiers in Public Health)
- Editorial Board Member Progressive Research Journal of Arts and Humanities (PRJAH), Sindh University Jamshoro, Pakistan
- Elected Council Member of the British Association of South Asian Studies (BASAS) – (Nov 1, 2023, to present).
- Member of SHU Academic Board (1 Aug 2022 – present)
- Member of the Centre for Applied Health and Social Care Research (CARe) Executive Management Board.
- Co-lead Society of Gender Professionals (SGP) – Gender and Climate Justice Circle
- Global Assessor - Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) - 2018 to 2020
- Panel member and Reviewer - Newton Fund/British Council (2018 - to present)
- Specialist Invited Reviewer - National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Postgraduate supervision
I am interested in offering PhD supervision for topics related to medical anthropology and ethnography, investigating intersections between culture, climate change, health and well-being, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), race/racism, and gender-based violence, particularly honour-based abuse.
Current PhD Students
- Maysoon Shafiq, ‘An ethnographic study exploring Pakistani Muslims access to palliative care in England’.
- Dusu Dung, ‘An Intersectionality Analysis of the division of labour in Healthcare Settings in England’.
- Jahanara Rowell, ‘Qualitative Exploration to Address the Psychosocial Needs of Refugee Children in the UK’.