Dr. Mat Lowe, Society for the Study of Women’s Health, SSWH, Gambia.
Dr. Mat Lowe is a renowned social scientist and public health expert from The Gambia 🌍. With over 8 years leading impactful projects on maternal health, gender, and adolescent well-being, he has shaped policies addressing early marriage and teenage pregnancy 🎓. Dr. Lowe collaborates with global organizations like UNICEF, UNFPA, and the International Development Research Centre 🌐. Fluent in English and French, he is committed to advancing health equity and social justice through research and advocacy 📊✨.
Profile
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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Mat Lowe began his academic journey with a strong foundation in public health and population studies. He earned his Postgraduate Diploma in Population and Development from the University of The Gambia and advanced his expertise with a Master of Science in Public Health at National Yang Ming University. His academic rigor culminated in a PhD in Global Health from National Taiwan University, where he also served as a research assistant, honing his skills in research design, data analysis, and ethical review processes. Additionally, he obtained a specialized certificate in Gender-Based Violence Research Methods from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2023, and acquired professional proficiency in French, underscoring his global and multilingual engagement.
💼 Professional Endeavors
With over a decade of impactful work, Mat Lowe has held influential roles across various international organizations and NGOs. Currently a National Researcher and Technical Expert at Samuel Hall in The Gambia, he has been pivotal in UNICEF-supported research to involve faith leaders in ending harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child Marriage. Since 2017, he has directed the Society for the Study of Women’s Health (SSWH) in The Gambia, managing major implementation research projects funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). His career also includes consultancies with UNFPA in Iraq, The Freedom Fund in Uganda, and research advisory roles with IOM and UNICEF, illustrating his leadership in health promotion and gender-focused public health initiatives.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus On Early marriage
Dr. Mat Lowe’s research centers on gender, maternal and adolescent health, and the social determinants influencing these areas in West Africa, especially The Gambia. He has led pioneering projects addressing teenage pregnancy, early marriage, and maternal health inequities through a gender-transformative lens. His research also applies intersectional frameworks to understand social and cultural factors affecting health outcomes. Publications such as COVID-19: A Novel Burden on the Fragile Health System of Angola and Social and Cultural Factors Affecting Maternal Health in Rural Gambia reflect his commitment to integrating scientific rigor with social justice and policy impact. He also engages in knowledge translation, bridging research with practice to improve community well-being.
🌍 Impact and Influence
Dr. Mat Lowe’s work has significantly influenced health policies and community interventions in The Gambia and beyond. By driving evidence-based strategies that involve community and faith leaders, he has contributed to the abandonment of harmful cultural practices and the promotion of gender equity. His leadership in securing and managing large-scale donor-funded research projects has enhanced the capacity of local institutions to address pressing public health challenges. Moreover, his teaching roles at the University of The Gambia and supervision of international graduate research foster the next generation of global health scholars, amplifying his academic and societal impact.
🧠 Research Skills
Dr. Mat Lowe excels in qualitative and quantitative research methods, strategic planning, policy analysis, and program management. His expertise spans data collection, mixed-methods research, intersectional analysis, and community-based participatory approaches. Proficient in health promotion, data management, and international health frameworks, he combines strong analytical capabilities with cultural sensitivity and advocacy skills. His multilingual ability in English and French enhances his effectiveness in diverse international settings.
🏅 Awards and Honors
While specific award details are not listed, Mat Lowe’s career achievements include securing competitive international research grants from prestigious organizations such as IDRC, UNICEF, and IAS. His recognition as a trusted consultant for major UN agencies and leadership in multi-country research initiatives stands as a testament to his professional excellence and respected reputation in the global health arena.
Publications Top Notes
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Findings and lessons learned from developing a 5-year community-based intervention for preventing early marriage in rural Gambia
Reproductive Health | 2025 📅
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Potential Impacts of Roe v. Wade repeal on Sexual and Reproductive Health in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Public Health Challenges | 2023 🌍
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Knowledge, attitude and perception of West Africans towards COVID-19: a survey to inform public health intervention
BMC Public Health | 2022 🦠
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COVID-19 highlights the need for inclusive responses to public health emergencies in Africa
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | 2021 ⚕️
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COVID-19: A novel burden on the fragile health system of Angola
Journal of Global Health | 2021 🌐
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Sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and young people in the Gambia: a systematic review
Pan African Medical Journal | 2021 🔍
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Fighting COVID-19 in The Gambia: Efforts, Challenges, and way Forward
The Open Public Health Journal | 2021 🛡️
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Examining ethnic differences in age at sexual debut among adolescent girls in The Gambia
African Journal of Reproductive Health | 2021 👧
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The daunting task of fighting against COVID-19 in Guinea-Bissau
Public Health in Practice | 2021 ⚔️
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Examining the perceptions and behaviors of Gambian adults in response to COVID-19 social mitigation strategies
Pan African Medical Journal | 2020 🤔
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Social and cultural factors perpetuating early marriage in rural Gambia: An exploratory mixed methods study
F1000Research | 2020 💍
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Using rapid online survey to assess public perceptions of Covid-19 in Gambia
The Pan African Medical Journal | 2020 💻
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Social and cultural barriers to husbands’ involvement in maternal health in rural Gambia
Pan African Medical Journal | 2017 👨👩👧
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Factors influencing the migration of West African health professionals
Pan African Medical Journal | 2016 🌍✈️
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Social and cultural factors affecting maternal health in rural Gambia: An exploratory qualitative study
PLoS ONE | 2016 🤰
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Brain drain and health professionals’ migration from West Africa
Journal of Population Studies | 2016 🧠🌍