Dr. Iryna Mazhak, Ph.D.

Research

My research focuses on understanding how social, economic, and gendered inequalities shape health and well-being. I integrate quantitative and qualitative approaches to explore how social adversity becomes biologically embedded, especially in vulnerable groups such as refugees and displaced women.

Current Projects

MSCA4Ukraine Fellowship (RCSI, 2023–2025)

Project: Health Profiles, Health Care Needs and Coping Strategies of Ukrainian Female Refugees in the Czech Republic and Ireland

Since April 2023, I have been working as a MSCA4Ukraine fellow at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Dublin, Ireland) with the research project “Health Profiles, Health Care Needs and Coping Strategies of Ukrainian Female Refugees Settled in the Czech Republic and Ireland”. The study has a concurrent mixed methods research design and aims to investigate and compare the physical, mental, and social health of Ukrainian female refugees settled in the Czech Republic (N=1575, online survey) and Ireland (N=842, online survey) and to explore their coping strategies and healthcare needs. I have also conducted 43 in-depth interviews exploring their migration and adaptation experiences, including insights into health conditions, coping strategies, and healthcare accessibility as well as conducted Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) of host countries’ policies that highlights the multifaceted nature of social policies affecting Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic and Ireland.

The project has several objectives, including documenting the self-reported physical health of Ukrainian refugees and identifying changes since the Russian invasion. It investigates specific aspects of mental health, such as perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, alongside coping strategies. It also examines the social health implications of separation from family and loved ones, defined as the ability to interact with others and adapt to varying social contexts. Additionally, the research explores how physical, mental, and social health statuses are associated with coping mechanisms and seeks to develop comprehensive health profiles by synthesizing indicators such as health status, behavioral risk factors, and healthcare utilization. My research outcomes have been published in peer-reviewed journals, including Frontiers in Psychology, Journal of Migration and Health, European Societies, Social Sciences and Lifestyle Medicine.

Past Projects

• 2022-2023 “Ukrainian Female and Children Refugees' Health Status and Coping Strategies in the Czech Republic”, Masaryk University, Brno, the Czech Republic
• 2021-2022 “Assessment of preparedness and response of the Ukrainian healthcare system to health emergencies such as epidemics, pandemics or bioterrorism using the Global Health Security Index”, Charitable Foundation "RIGHT TO PROTECTION (R2P)”, Kyiv, Ukraine
• 2020-2021 “Main approaches to measuring social inequalities in health”, National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine
• 2017-2018 “Cultural understandings of health and ill health: A comparative study of Ukrainian and Danish females”, Collaborative Project in Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Denmark
• 2015-2018 "The Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequalities among Working-age Population in Ukraine", Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Denmark

Teaching

Teaching is an essential part of my academic identity. I aim to inspire students to apply sociological thinking to real-world public health challenges and to view research as a bridge between theory and policy.

As an academic and educator, I am passionate about fostering intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world global health challenges. My teaching philosophy is grounded in research-led, student-centred learning that promotes independent thinking and professional growth.

I have extensive experience in designing and coordinating undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral modules on topics such as social and behavioural determinants of health, medical sociology, and social inequalities in health. My decade-long research on health inequalities directly informs these courses, allowing students to analyse empirical data, evaluate international health policies, and understand their implications for equity and inclusion.

Courses Taught

• Introduction to Health Care
• Health Promotion
• Public Health and Biostatistics
• Health Policy Analysis
• Fundamentals of Medical Sociology
• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Social and Behavioural Determinants of Health
• Gender and Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health
• Social Theories in Health, Illness, and Medicine
• Fundamentals of Sociology
• Modern Theories in Empirical Research
• Introduction to Empirical Analysis in the Social Sciences
• Research Methodology (Quantitative & Qualitative)
• Academic Writing for Social Workers

Institutions

• University of Limerick
• National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
• Academy of Labour, Social Relations and Tourism
• Ukrainian Catholic University

Media & Public Engagement

I am committed to communicating research beyond academia. My outreach activities aim to promote public understanding of refugee health and resilience.

• The Irish Times. 11 July 2024. Ukrainian women who moved to the State since 2022 having difficulty accessing sufficient medical support, notes study. Link
• European Researchers’ Night. Start Talking About Research Today. Dr. Iryna Mazhak: RCSI Profile Link
• Ukrainian women are asked to answer questions about their well-being Link
• Feelings of loss and anxiety, depression: scientist Iryna Mazhak - about the problems of Ukrainian women who left abroad due to the war Link
• Helping women fleeing Ukraine by addressing their healthcare needs Link