Our Research Fellows publish!

News & insights
January 30, 2025
Aferdita Bytyqi
By -

We are pleased to share the findings from our first cohort of Research Fellows.

Our Fellowship Programme was set up to provide students and early-career professionals from low- and middle-income countries with the opportunity to contribute to key areas of DTH-Lab’s research and analysis. As part of our commitment to empowering youth as co-creators of equitable digital health systems, this initiative aims to build the capacity of future health leaders to shape policy and governance issues related to the digital transformations of health.

The current cohort of Fellows joined us in May 2024 and have researched a range of topics to strengthen our work in digital first health systems, digital determinants of health, data governance and digital citizenship for health.

“Our first cohort of Research Fellows has exceeded our expectations,” says DTH-Lab Executive Director Aferdita Bytyqi.  “Each of them was given a topic to explore and then worked diligently to refine their research questions and conduct high quality research.

From analysing national approaches to health system transformation and examining the practices of digital technology companies, to exploring high-level concepts such as trust and digital citizenship for health, our Fellows’ work has deepened DTH-Lab’s understanding of a range of issues. Their findings and recommendations are already being incorporated into our projects and we will seek opportunities for them to present their work throughout the year.”

Read the reports
Click on the links below to read the reports:
Toward Digital First Health Systems in Nigeria
Toward Digital First Health Systems in Nigeria
A Focus on Adolescents and Young Adults
Digital Interventions for Youth Health: Insights from a Comprehensive Scoping Review
Digital Interventions for Youth Health: Insights from a Comprehensive Scoping Review
Exploring Longitudinal Impacts of Everyday Digital Technology Use on Youth Well-being
Trust in Digital Health
Trust in Digital Health
Exploring Barriers and Enablers Among Youth
Evolution of Youth-friendly Digital Health System in India: An Analysis
Evolution of Youth-friendly Digital Health System in India: An Analysis
Digital Health Citizenship
Digital Health Citizenship
Mapping Existing Tools for Digital, Health and Civic Literacy
Safeguarding the Digital Generation
Safeguarding the Digital Generation
Qualitative Analysis of African-based Digital Technology Companies’ Policies impacting African Youth Health and Well-being
Analysing Major Tech Companies’ Policies and Strategies for the Health and Safety of Young Users
Analysing Major Tech Companies’ Policies and Strategies for the Health and Safety of Young Users
Building a Healthier Future through Digital Inclusion for India’s Youth
Building a Healthier Future through Digital Inclusion for India’s Youth
National Digital Health Strategies
National Digital Health Strategies
No items found.
References

Interested in becoming a Research Fellow?

Our call for the next cohort of researchers will go live in March. Keep an eye on our current opportunities and social media channels to find out more.

As Executive Director of DTH-Lab, I'm driving forward the recommendations of the Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030 — bridging digital literacy, health literacy and civic engagement to empower communities and ensure young people thrive in a digital world. I am passionate about operationalizing innovative governance models to advance equity, protect communities and drive meaningful health outcomes in the digital transformations for health.  From building multistakeholder partnerships to co-creating solutions with young people, I work to strengthen health systems, protect digital health rights and foster sustainable, inclusive digital health ecosystems.  

My career spans over 25 years, spearheading international research, development, and regeneration initiatives on behalf of multilateral and bilateral agencies, as well as private donors. My previous professional roles include ICS Integrare, MBM, FAO, WHO and the Senior Coordinator of the Lancet and Financial Times Commission.

I am a DTH-Lab Founding Member and member of the Steering Committee; Member of the Advisory Board: “Health literacy of adolescents in Switzerland in an increasingly digital society” by the Swiss National Science Foundation and Member of the OECD Expert Group on AI in Health . I have a Dipl. Ing in Architecture and an M.Sc. in Urban Design in Development from UCL.

You may also like

Publication
September 26, 2025
Putting data solidarity into practice: a guide for public and private organizations, authorities and policymakers
News & insights
September 23, 2025
Youth and digital gaps threaten success of UN declaration on NCDs and mental health
Publication
September 1, 2025
Regional findings on Digital First Health Systems
Publication
August 15, 2025
New rules are required for WHO’s engagement with Big Tech
News & insights
August 12, 2025
Call for Applications: Regional Youth Champions - Cohort 2025-2026
News & insights
July 29, 2025
A mandate for action: Council of the EU calls for safer digital environments for young people
News & insights
July 18, 2025
The European Health Data Space: why data solidarity matters now more than ever
News & insights
July 10, 2025
Call for Submissions: Research Topic on the Role of Public Health in Preventing Digital Harms
Multimedia
July 3, 2025
How is health linked to digital citizenship
Publication
June 19, 2025
Why the G7 must act now to address the digital health transformation
Journal article
June 18, 2025
From research to policy – addressing the digital determinants of youth mental health
Publication
May 27, 2025
Digital citizenship for health: Overcoming challenges for youth
Journal article
May 24, 2025
Addressing the digital determinants of youth mental health and well-being: policy brief
Publication
May 24, 2025
Addressing the digital determinants of young people’s mental health and well-being
News & insights
May 23, 2025
WHO/Europe and DTH-Lab urge coordinated action to protect youth mental health in new policy brief
Publication
May 12, 2025
Shaping digital health futures - Annual Review 2024
News & insights
May 6, 2025
DTH-Lab joins Global Initiative on Digital Health
News & insights
April 3, 2025
Health Promotion and the Digital Determinants of Health
News & insights
March 31, 2025
The kids are not alright — safeguarding children in the AI age
Multimedia
March 27, 2025
Watch our DTH Lab Research Fellows Dissemination Series online