Laila Khawaja

Dr. Laila Khawaja holds a PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Southampton and is an experienced qualitative researcher with a strong background in public health, well-being, and social engagement. She has worked extensively on projects that explore the intersection of mental health, agency, and lifestyle behaviors, particularly among young people.

Laila was involved in a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) project that focused on empowering young individuals to enhance their sense of agency and well-being. This work aimed to positively influence their mental health, dietary choices, and physical activity habits through participatory engagement strategies.

Currently, Laila is contributing to the Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex Long-Term Conditions theme, where she is actively engaged in two key projects: the SCALE project, which examines enablers and barriers of using  a long term conditions-scale tool and a study on Social Prescribing for Link Workers, which investigates how healthcare professionals can better connect individuals to community-based resources to improve well-being and health outcomes.

Her research interests include health inequalities, patient and public involvement in healthcare, and the role of social interventions in managing long-term conditions.