Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content
Tazeen Ali

View Scopus Profile

Tazeen Ali

Professor

 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8896-8766
20012026

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Research interests

Leadership and Academic Contributions
Professor Tazeen Saeed Ali is a globally recognized leader in public & reproductive health, nursing research, and gender equity with over three decades of experience in research, policy engagement, and academic leadership.
Her work focuses on reproductive health, gender-based violence, and strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries. She has led large multi-country research initiatives and policy engagement activities addressing violence against women, maternal health, and community health systems.
She has secured over USD 40 million in international research funding as Principal Investigator and has contributed to numerous additional grants as Co-Investigator, Technical Lead, and scientific collaborator. She has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, and her work has significantly influenced national and international discourse on gender equity, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and health systems strengthening. In recognition of her scholarly impact and research excellence, she was ranked among the world's top 2% scientists in 2024 and 2025.
Professor Ali has supervised and mentored more than 150 MSc students, 50 medical residents, and 10 PhD candidates globally. She has contributed to the development of innovative mentorship models that have been adopted across academic institutions in South Asia. In addition, she has played a key role in designing national and international academic curricula and in strengthening doctoral education systems.
Her collaborations include partnerships with leading institutions such as Karolinska Institute, McMaster University, Monash University, the University of Michigan, Ghent University, Shandong University, and Fudan University, among many others, contributing to global research and training initiatives in public health and nursing. She has also played a central role in developing national and international academic curricula and strengthening doctoral education.
Her collaborations include partnerships with leading institutions such as Karolinska Institute, McMaster University, Stanford University, and Fudan University etc., contributing to global research and training initiatives in public health and nursing.
Policy Development and Impact
Professor Tazeen Saeed Ali has actively contributed to the development and strengthening of national and international health policies aimed at improving reproductive health, gender equity, and health systems responsiveness.
Her work bridges research, policy, and implementation, ensuring that evidence generated through academic research informs practical policy decisions and health programs.
She has contributed to the development and strengthening of policies and strategic initiatives, particularly in the areas of:
 
  • Gender-Based Violence prevention and response within health systems 
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) policy frameworks 
  • Strengthening nursing and midwifery education and professional development 
  • Early childhood marriage
  • Community Health Workers program at community level
 
Through her policy engagement, Professor Ali has worked closely with government institutions, international organizations, and academic partners to ensure that health policies are evidence-based, gender-responsive, and aligned with global health priorities.
Her contributions have helped integrate gender-sensitive approaches, community-based health strategies, and health system strengthening mechanisms into policy frameworks that support improved health outcomes for women, families, and vulnerable populations.
Education
  • Post-Doctorate in Inequality and Policy Development, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, 2018
  • PhD, Medical Sciences , Global Health/IHCAR, Department of Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, 2011
  • Masters, Epidemiology, Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Pakistan, 2001
  • BScN, Nursing Major in Education and Community Health, The Aga Khan University, Pakistan, 1995
  • Registered Midwife, The Aga Khan University, Pakistan, 1990
  • Registered Nurse, The Aga Khan University, Pakistan, 1989
Research interests
  • Reproductive and Sexual Health
  • Gender-Based Violence and Women’s Health
  • Family Planning and Maternal Health
  • Maternal and Newborn Health
  • Health Systems Strengthening
  • Health Policy and Implementation Research
  • Gender Equity and Social Determinants of Health
  • Cancer
Experience
  • Professor, The Aga Khan University, Pakistan, 2019 – Present
  • Associate Professor, The Aga Khan University, Pakistan, 2014 - 2018 
  • Assistant Professor, The Aga Khan University, Pakistan, 2004 - 2013
  • Senior Instructor, The Aga Khan University, Pakistan, 2001 – 2003
  • Public Health Specialist and Director, The Aga Khan University, Pakistan, 1991 – 2000
  • Consultant, School Health Care Services Pvt. Ltd., Pakistan, 1991
Professional associations
  • Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on several international research projects in reproductive health, gender-based violence, and health systems strengthening.
  • Technical advisor, Regional Hub for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, World Health Organization (WHO), Multiple national and international research and policy initiatives related to women's health, gender equality, and public health systems.
  • Editorial reviewer for several international peer-reviewed journals including BMC journals, Nursing Open, JPMA, the International Journal of Equity in Health etc.
  • Resource Centre 2016 – Present. 
  • Served as President of the Board at Parwaaz Organization 2012 – 2022
  • Serving as a Board Member at Health and Nutrition Development Society (HANDs) 2018 – Present
  • Serving as a Board Member at Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana 2020 – Present
  • Member of the Annual General Assembly of Pakistan Alliance for Post-Abortion Care and Safe Abortion PAPAC 2016 – Present
  • Executive Member and General Member of Population Association of Pakistan 2002 – Present
Awards and honours
  • Sitara-e-Pakistan (Star of Pakistan) award, 2026
  • Endowed Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, 2019
  • Best researcher – Graduate Studies Award, 2020
  • Outstanding Teacher Award – Community Health Sciences, 2007
  • Best Human Award, 2004
  • Ten Year Service Award – Aga Khan University, 2002
  • Twenty Year Service Award – Aga Khan University, 2012
  • Twenty-Five Year Service Award – Aga Khan University, 2017
  • Thirty years Service Award - Aga Khan University, 2022
 
 

Research Interests

  • Reproductive and Sexual Health ternal Health Maternal and Newborn Health Health Systems Strengthening Health Policy and Implementation Research Gender Equity and Social Determinants of Health Cancer
  • Reproductive and Sexual Health Gender-Based Violence and Women’s Health Family Planning and Maternal Health Maternal and Newborn Health Health Systems Strengthening Health Policy and Implementation Research Gender Equity and Social Determinants of Health Cancer
  • Family Planning and Maternal Health
  • Maternal and Newborn Health
  • Health Systems Strengthening
  • Health Policy and Implementation Research
  • Gender Equity and Social Determinants of Health
  • cancer

Digital Commons disciplines

  • Nursing
  • Social Justice
  • Other Medical Sciences

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    SDG 2 Zero Hunger
  2. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  3. SDG 4 - Quality Education
    SDG 4 Quality Education
  4. SDG 5 - Gender Equality
    SDG 5 Gender Equality
  5. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
    SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
  6. SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
    SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
  7. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  8. SDG 14 - Life Below Water
    SDG 14 Life Below Water
  9. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Tazeen Ali is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 1 Similar Profiles
View full fingerprint

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Explore network further
View all 173 research outputs