Dr Narayan Poudel is a Senior Lecturer in Health Sciences (Health Economics), MSc by Research (Public Health) Programme Lead and International Lead for the Department of Allied Health Professions, Sport and Exercise at the University of Huddersfield. He completed his PhD in Health Economics in January 2015 at the University of Aberdeen. Since then, he has held academic positions focused on teaching and research. Dr Poudel has taught Health Economics, Statistics, Global Health and Research Methods (Evidence and Research) at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels (BSc Nursing, MSc Nursing, MPH). He has delivered training and workshops both locally and internationally. Dr Poudel has published nearly two dozen peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals, including more than half a dozen review articles such as systematic reviews and meta-analyses. He is a member of several professional organisations, the International Health Economics Association, the Health Economics Study Group, UK, the Britain Nepal Academic Council, UK, and the Global Consortium for Public Health Research (GCPHR), UK. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Previously, Dr Poudel served as a Health Economist/Research Fellow at the University of Leicester, Swansea University, the University of Leeds, and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).

Dr Poudel primarily conducts quantitative research, though he is also proficient in mixed-method approaches. His previous research has focused on reducing health inequalities; evaluating the cost-effectiveness of healthcare interventions; economic modelling using a Markov model; cost-of-illness/economic burden analysis; sexual and reproductive health; and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes and mental health (e.g., dementia). His work further encompasses identifying social determinants of health to examine the lived experiences and health outcomes of marginalised communities from a health economics perspective. Dr Poudel’s research also addresses the social valuation of community interventions, social return on investment (SRoI), and cost-benefit analysis (CBA). He possesses extensive experience in research design, including participatory and co-design approaches, as well as quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods commonly employed in contemporary research.

Area of Expertise: 

Health Economics, Economic evaluation of healthcare interventions (Cost-Utility Analysis, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis), Economic Modelling, Economic burden/Cost of Illness studies, Social Valuation of Health Impacts, Social Return on Investment (SRoI), Cost-Benefit Analysis, Quantitative Research, Mixed Methods Research, Research Methods, Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis, Statistics, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health

Research Degree Supervision

Dr Poudel is interested in supervising both PhD and MRes students who want to pursue their research around the following topic areas:

• Economic evaluation (Cost-Utility Analysis, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis) of public health interventions (community settings)
• Economic evaluation (Cost-Utility Analysis, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis) of health interventions using RCTs (hospital settings)
• Economic burden Or Cost of Illness studies (e.g. HIV/AIDS, NCDs, Antibiotic Resistance)
• Public health research studies using quantitative or mixed methods on HIV/AIDS, NCDs (e.g. diabetes, cancer, hypertension, mental health, etc.), Antibiotic Resistance, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Urban Health, Climate Change and Health, & Gender & Health
• Intervention effectiveness studies (e.g. effectiveness of vaccine, technology, treatment, procedure, policy) 

PGR Students and Study Topics:

Completed PGR Studies

1. The effect of social support on the number of children women have in the United Kingdom (Main supervisor) (Katayoun Megrazi Boukani- completed in April 2026)
2. Effect of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Time and Aortic Cross Clamp Time on Lactate Levels (Main Supervisor) (Urwah Maryam Mustafa- thesis submitted in April 2026)

On-going PGR Studies

1. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention and Epidemic Control: A Phenomenological Study on Perceptions, Receptiveness, and Utilisation Disablers among Nigerian Men who have sex with men (MSM) (Main supervisor) (Jolayemi Afolabi, thesis submission by 30/09/2026)
2. Enhancing Self-Management: A Co-Designed Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes in Nepal (Main supervisor) (Namuna Shrestha, thesis submission by 15/01/2027)
3. Awareness of Occupational Hazards among Operating Room Staff (Main supervisor) (Bakhtawar Irfan, thesis submission by 21/08/2026)
4. Reducing Obesity through Public Health Campaigns: The Role of Schools in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles (Main supervisor) (Shajia Haider, thesis submission by 30/09/2026)
5. UK women’s perceptions of cervical cancer risk in response to changes in screening frequency: A qualitative study (Main supervisor) (Shakirah Aloba, thesis submission by 30/09/2026)
6. Antimicrobial Resistance in the UK: A Public Health Challenge and Policy Solutions (Co-supervisor) (Zoha Mehmood, thesis submission by 30/09/2026)
7. Physical Exercise Interventions for People with Dementia Living in the Community: A Mixed Methods (Co-supervisor) (Denila Valiyaveettil Ignatious, thesis submission by 30/09/2026)
8. Understanding Vaccine Uptake and Cost-Effectiveness of Vaccination Strategies in Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Communities: A Mixed-Methods and Economic Evaluation Study in Huddersfield (Main Supervisor) (Sokariba Sokari Karibi Adoja- Benjamin- thesis submission by 30/09/2028)
9. Socio-Cultural and Health System Determinants of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) Use: A Rural-Urban Comparative Study among Women of Reproductive Age in Cross River State, Nigeria (Co-supervisor) (Dodeye Ntete Omini, thesis submission by 20/04/2029)
10. Exploring frontline health professionals’ knowledge and practice in dementia diagnosis, treatment and referral in Nepal: A qualitative study (Main supervisor) (Bishal Gole, thesis submission by 30/09/2029)
11. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of mHealth Intervention in Diabetes Management in Nepal (Main supervisor) (Basanta Katwal, thesis submission by 30/09/2029)

Memberships

• Member of the International Health Economics Association (IHEA), Canada (Since 2016)
• Member of Health Economics Study Group (HESG), UK (Since 2015)
• Member of Britain Nepal Academic Council, UK (Since 2012)
• Member of the Higher Education Academy, UK (Since 2016 AFHEA, since 2024 FHEA )
• Member of Global Consortium for Public Health Research (GCPHR), UK (Since 2016-LJMU, & since 2023- UoH)

Advisory Bodies and the Scientific Committee of the conference

• Member of the Scientific Committee of the conference: 4th European Congress on Biomedical Science and Engineering (Narayan Poudel – Scientific Committee) (Since Sept 2025);
• Member of Conference Organising Committee: Britain Nepal Academy Council conference (Organising Committee member: 2016, 2023); Global Consortium for Public Health Research (GCPHR), (Organising committee member, 2016 (LJMU), 2023 (UoH))

Peer Review Activities

Funding Review:

• Génome Québec: Génome Québec | Genomics Research Company) (23 July 2025- 23 August 2025)

Journals Review:

• BMJ Global Health (IF: 6.1), BMC Public Health (IF: 3.6), Health Economics Reviews (IF: 3.3), European Journal of Health Economics (IF: 0), PLOS ONE (IF: 2.6), International Health (IF: 2.2), and City and Health (IF: 1.9) (since 2021 to date); Editorship: Health Economics Editor- Frontier in Public Health 

Current National and International Projects:

1. Reducing Mental Health Inequalities Project: South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, University of York, Leeds Trinity University, University of Liverpool, Leeds Beckett University, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (Health Economist from the University of Huddersfield, WP4).
2. URF NCDs Project- From Nepal: Green Tara Trust, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS); From India: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College; From Ghana: University of Ghana Medical School; From the UK: University of Huddersfield, Coventry University, Bournemouth University, Nottingham University, University College London, University of Sheffield (Co-I).
3. Health Economic Evaluation of Suffolk Healthy Homes Project: East Suffolk Council, University of Huddersfield (PI)
4. Co-developing an Impact Accreditation Scheme for VCSE Organisations in Kirklees: Third Sector Leaders Kirklees, University of Huddersfield (PI)
5. DRESSINg Trial – DACC in the reduction of Surgical Site Infection: NHS Humber Health Partnership (RWA), University of Huddersfield (Co-I)
6. Evidencing the Impact of VCSE Organisations on Community Health and Wellbeing in Kirklees: Third Sector Leaders Kirklees, University of Huddersfield (Co-I)
7. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Review Project: From the UK: University of Huddersfield, From Nepal: Padmakanya Campus, Amrit Science Campus, Gaindakot Municipality Health Unit, Mandhyabindu Hospital (PI)
8. Antimicrobial Resistance Review Project: From the UK: University of Huddersfield, From Nepal: Padmakanya Campus, Amrit Science Campus, Gaindakot Municipality Health Unit, Mandhyabindu Hospital (PI)

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Last updated 8th June 2026