Mock Teaching Session: The teaching session will introduce students to the principles and practice of mixed-methods research, with a focus on the application of qualitative research methods to assess psychological constructs. Using practical examples, the session will touch upon how qualitative methods can be integrated with quantitative approaches to enhance the cultural relevance, rigour, and impact of psychological research. Pedagogically, the session aims to promote critical thinking around methodological choices and highlight ethical and epistemological considerations of doing research across diverse settings.

Research Talk Title: Trauma, Mental Health, and Well-Being in Low-Resource and Humanitarian Contexts

Abstract: The research seminar outlines Dr. Sharma’s program of research at the intersection of mental health, cross-cultural psychology, implementation science, and global health. Her work has three primary aims: (1) to develop and adapt culturally grounded measures of psychological distress and well-being; (2) to investigate how social determinants act as risk and protective factors in shaping mental health outcomes; and (3) to design, implement, and evaluate culturally acceptable psychosocial interventions using and evidence-informed and community-based participatory approaches. The talk will draw on high-impact studies conducted in collaboration with global partners, especially trauma and resilience research studies led by Dr. Sharma. The seminar will highlight how her research aims to bridge scientific rigor with local relevance to inform the practice and policy of mental health in resource-constrained settings.

About the Speaker: Dr. Manasi Sharma is a mental health researcher, with expertise in child and adolescent mental health, psychiatric epidemiology, and implementation science. Her research focuses on mixed methods approaches to the development and evaluation of mental health interventions in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Sharma is currently a research faculty member at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health, where she leads capacity building initiatives (under the Population Mental Health Concentration) and the scientific oversight of multiple global mental health research studies across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. She completed her PhD and postdoctoral training at Harvard University, where her research focused on the measurement of trauma and risk and protective factors for mental health outcomes in conflict and epidemic-affected areas in Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, DRC, Rwanda, and Somalia. Prior to her current role, Dr. Sharma worked across the UNICEF Office of Research, Office of Evaluation, and East Asia & Pacific Regional Office, developing the organization’s child and adolescent mental health research and programming guidelines. Dr. Sharma did her undergraduate training in Psychology from Lady Shi Ram College, and her Masters training in Clinical Psychology from King’s College London.