Raquel Burgess, MSc

I am a fifth year doctoral student (degree expected in 2024) in the Dept of Social and Behavioral Sciences and am being advised by Dr. Yusuf Ransome. I am passionate about addressing the commercial determinants of health (i.e., private sector activities that influence health) in a range of industries but especially the food & beverage industry. My dissertation research focuses on understanding how we can measure corporate activities that influence population health and how we can use the investment sector to nudge companies towards health-promoting practices.

In the past, I have conducted research in the areas of health communication, global health, and medical education. I completed my MSc in Global Health and BSc in Kinesiology at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. I then worked as a Research Assistant for the Dept of Family Medicine and Undergraduate Medical Education program at McMaster, where I conducted research on the medical admissions process.

I am trained in both qualitative and quantitative methods, including in advanced methods such as policy modelling, scale construction, spatial analysis, and causal inference. I am passionate about ensuring that my research can inform public health policy and practice. I enjoy writing and have previously worked as a Strategic Communications Fellow with the Yale Jackson School and as a freelance journalist with the Arts Paper in New Haven, CT.