School of Social and Political Science

Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush wins University Research Impact Prize for engagement work in vaccine equity



Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush receiving his Research Impact Prize

Global health policy expert Ben Kasstan-Dabush has won a University of Edinburgh Research Impact Prize, in the Engagement Newcomer category, for his work in vaccine equity.

The Research Impact Prizes honour individuals and teams who have demonstrated significant contributions to research impact, with five categories. 

The Engagement Newcomer award recognizes the commitment of colleagues, regardless of their career stage, who have recently started to engage with research users beyond academia to further the impact of their research. 

Ben was one of two overall winners in his category, for 'consistently demonstrating a proactive approach to engagement and impact from his research'.

Ben is a Lecturer in Global Health Policy at the University’s School of Social and Political Science. Since joining the University he has advanced his engagement work in vaccine equity, including:

  • Contributing oral and written evidence as an expert witness to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry
  • Contributing oral evidence at the UK Parliament Health & Social Care Committee meeting on the NHS vaccination strategy and House of Lords Inquiry into childhood vaccination rates
  • Chairing a Scottish Council on Global Affairs panel on pandemic preparedness 
  • Securing ESRC Impact Acceleration Account funding to take up a placement with Public Health Scotland to advance progress on the vaccination and immunisation framework and delivery plan.
  • Publishing research that has been cited in the UK Health Security Agency Immunisation Equity Strategy 2025-30 

Ben said: “Receiving a Research Impact Prize meant a great deal to me, but it was also a reminder that a university sector facing restructuring, redundancies and reductions in research support makes it hard for early career and fixed-term academics to sustain and fulfil an impact vision. The Impact Festival shows the dynamic work taking place and vital role of professional services in facilitating research impact, reflecting the position of universities as a public good.“

Learn more about Ben and his work on his website profile.

Watch an interview with Ben: