Skip to main content
Hanna Kienzler

Professor Hanna Kienzler

Professor of Global Health

  • Co-Director, ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health

Research interests

  • Equality
  • Medicine
  • Mental Health
  • Policy

Biography

Hanna Kienzler is a Professor of Global Health and Co-Director of the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health. She completed her PhD in cultural and medical anthropology in the Departments of Anthropology and Social Studies of Medicine at McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

She also worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and the Psychosocial Research Division at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute at McGill University and as a Research Associate for the Trauma and Global Health (TGH) programme.

Blog: Symptomspeak – delving into the lived experience of wars and their aftermath, in suffering and mental health, and in health-seeking and healing. Catch up on the latest posts on Facebook or @symptomspeak.

Research

  • Global health
  • Health and mental health outcomes due to systemic violence, ethnic conflict and complex emergencies
  • Humanitarian and mental health interventions
  • Impacts of war and trauma on women
  • Refugee mental health 

As an anthropologist with a long-standing interest in the field of global health, Hanna investigates how systemic violence, ethnic conflict and complex emergencies intersect with health and mental health outcomes. She conducts ethnographic research on the impact of war and trauma on women in Kosovo; on what it means for persons with mental health problems to live and participate in their respective communities in Palestine; and on humanitarian and mental health interventions in fragile states.

Hanna holds two major grants:

  1. Wellcome Trust funded Collaborative Award, 'Mental Health and Justice', to investigate community-based support for persons with mental health problems in Palestine, Ghana and the UK.
  2. UK Research and Innovation, 'Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Research for Health in Conflict' (R4HC-MENA), to build research capacity in the field of mental health in conflict-affected areas of the Middle East with particular focus on Palestine.

Teaching

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Further details

See Hanna's research profile

    Research

    CMP Logo-72dpi
    Culture, Medicine & Power research group

    The interdisciplinary study of social, cultural, political and historical dimensions of health and illness.

    mental health app_promo
    Mental Health & Society research group

    Seeking to better understand the socio-political dimensions of mental health and illness in the Global North and South.

    mental health conflict hero
    Centre for Conflict & Health Research

    Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.

    Direction
    Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Directory for Refugees and Migrants in London

    The MHPSS Directory is a detailed list of organisations providing mental health and social support services to refugees and migrants in London.

    Project status: Ongoing

    TogetherTransform-giulia-may-unsplash
    Together to Transform

    A mutual learning platform to develop a social paradigm for global mental health.

    Project status: Ongoing

    RP network - new banner
    Refugee Mental Health and Place Network

    Network exploring post-migration and refugee mental health

    black-history-month-lsm
    GHSM Anti Racism Steering Group

    The Anti Racism Steering Group is a staff-student led initiative in the Department of Global Health & Social Medicine (GHSM).

    News

    Centre for Society Mental Health conference - five years of interdisciplinary research

    The ESRC Centre for Society Mental Health showcased a range of research findings and insights at its conference on 1 October at the Science Gallery London.

    A group of seven women and men, of varying ethnicities, sit on a stage below a projection screen.

    Announcing Belongings, part of King's Culture's new programme of art and ideas.

    Susan Aldworth’s new exhibition explores how migration stories shape British identity, revealing the need for empathy and meaningful dialogue.

    A window filled with small white dresses hanging up. The white dresses have black and white pictures printed on them

    Applications open for three new studentships at the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health

    The ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health invite prospective students to apply for new studentships aligned with its key research areas, with a focus on...

    people walking

    A Mentally Healthier Nation: support from ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health

    The new ‘A Mentally Healthier Nation’ report by the Centre for Mental Health has called for cross-cutting policy to increasing mental health. The report’s...

    People in a Street

    New directory provides valuable information about mental health and psychosocial support services for refugees and migrants in London

    Researchers at the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health have published a new directory listing mental health and social support services for refugees and...

    MHPSS Hero 2

    The Centre for Society & Mental Health announces exciting new PhD studentships

    King's Centre for Society & Mental Health announces new PhD studentships in three areas.

    man studying

    Events

    09Dec

    LAUNCH EVENT: “Do you hear me?”: A creative anthology of poems in exile

    Join us for the launch of this creative anthology made in response to the racist riots in the UK

    Please note: this event has passed.

    02Oct

    BELONGINGS: Exhibition

    Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    23Oct

    BELONGINGS: Film screening – MATAR + Q&A with film director Hassan Akkad

    Join us to watch this short film exploring lived experience of the harsh realities of the UK’s broken asylum system.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    30Oct

    Report launch: From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for Britain

    Join us for the regional launch of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees report From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    01Oct

    We know inequalities matter and have a huge impact on mental health, why are we so bad at doing something about it?

    A panel discussion organised as part of the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health Conference 2024

    Please note: this event has passed.

    01Oct

    ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health Conference 2024

    Discover the latest findings and emerging insights from our interdisciplinary research on the impact of rapid social changes on mental health.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    02Oct

    BELONGINGS: Exhibition

    Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    23Oct

    BELONGINGS: Film screening – MATAR + Q&A with film director Hassan Akkad

    Join us to watch this short film exploring lived experience of the harsh realities of the UK’s broken asylum system.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    30Oct

    Report launch: From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for Britain

    Join us for the regional launch of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees report From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    18Apr

    Launch event: Theorizing the social in mental health research and action

    What does a social perspective on mental health look like? And why does it matter? Join us as we explore these questions at our launch of the special issue...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    Features

    Announcing a New Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Lived Experience in Mental Health Research: Come and join us

    In this blog those involved in launching a new commission by The Lancet Psychiatry on lived experience in mental health research discuss the need to reflect...

    Website Hero Template (8)

    The importance of meaningful integration for the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees

    Effective integration into communities is central to the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees. While we know that the process of integration is...

    Integration of refugees and mental health

    Inverting the deficit model in global mental health

    In a new paper in PLOS Global Health, researchers from the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health have collaborated with mental health practitioners,...

    inverting deficit model main image flip

    World Mental Health Day: understanding the role of our society

    On World Mental Health Day, the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health is highlighting the need to understand how societal systems, structures and...

    Busy society at tube

    Understanding the role of place in refugee mental health to inform policy

    ‘Place’ is inherent in the experience of every refugee and has a deep impact on their mental health. In this blog Hannah Kienzler and Guntars Ermansons...

    The role of place in refugee mental health

    Reforming the UK's refugee and asylum system for a just and inclusive society

    We speak to Professor Hanna Kienzler about her work in the Commission on the Integration of Refugees as a commissioner and Steering Group member.

    People at refugee protest holding 'refugees & migrants welcome here' signs

    Partnerships, Power, Potential: GHSM on from 10

    This exhibition takes a look at the research being undertaken by GHSM academics and students across the world.

    GHSM on from 10 photo (1)

    Refugee mental health: understanding place, politics and migration

    Understanding 'place' is critical to supporting the mental health of refugees and migrants facing challenging conditions upon arrival.

    refugee-julie-ricard-MX0erXb3Mms-unsplash

    How can communities come together to partner for change?

    Reflections on the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health Partnering for Change Festival 2022

    CSMH Fest- Hero image

    Democratising Research: The Development of an Online Research Methods Toolkit

    We are a group of researchers made up of service users, survivors, academics, project coordinators and artists in the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental...

    Image courtesy of Tony James Allen: https://bethlemgallery.com/artists/tony/

      Research

      CMP Logo-72dpi
      Culture, Medicine & Power research group

      The interdisciplinary study of social, cultural, political and historical dimensions of health and illness.

      mental health app_promo
      Mental Health & Society research group

      Seeking to better understand the socio-political dimensions of mental health and illness in the Global North and South.

      mental health conflict hero
      Centre for Conflict & Health Research

      Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.

      Direction
      Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Directory for Refugees and Migrants in London

      The MHPSS Directory is a detailed list of organisations providing mental health and social support services to refugees and migrants in London.

      Project status: Ongoing

      TogetherTransform-giulia-may-unsplash
      Together to Transform

      A mutual learning platform to develop a social paradigm for global mental health.

      Project status: Ongoing

      RP network - new banner
      Refugee Mental Health and Place Network

      Network exploring post-migration and refugee mental health

      black-history-month-lsm
      GHSM Anti Racism Steering Group

      The Anti Racism Steering Group is a staff-student led initiative in the Department of Global Health & Social Medicine (GHSM).

      News

      Centre for Society Mental Health conference - five years of interdisciplinary research

      The ESRC Centre for Society Mental Health showcased a range of research findings and insights at its conference on 1 October at the Science Gallery London.

      A group of seven women and men, of varying ethnicities, sit on a stage below a projection screen.

      Announcing Belongings, part of King's Culture's new programme of art and ideas.

      Susan Aldworth’s new exhibition explores how migration stories shape British identity, revealing the need for empathy and meaningful dialogue.

      A window filled with small white dresses hanging up. The white dresses have black and white pictures printed on them

      Applications open for three new studentships at the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health

      The ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health invite prospective students to apply for new studentships aligned with its key research areas, with a focus on...

      people walking

      A Mentally Healthier Nation: support from ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health

      The new ‘A Mentally Healthier Nation’ report by the Centre for Mental Health has called for cross-cutting policy to increasing mental health. The report’s...

      People in a Street

      New directory provides valuable information about mental health and psychosocial support services for refugees and migrants in London

      Researchers at the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health have published a new directory listing mental health and social support services for refugees and...

      MHPSS Hero 2

      The Centre for Society & Mental Health announces exciting new PhD studentships

      King's Centre for Society & Mental Health announces new PhD studentships in three areas.

      man studying

      Events

      09Dec

      LAUNCH EVENT: “Do you hear me?”: A creative anthology of poems in exile

      Join us for the launch of this creative anthology made in response to the racist riots in the UK

      Please note: this event has passed.

      02Oct

      BELONGINGS: Exhibition

      Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      23Oct

      BELONGINGS: Film screening – MATAR + Q&A with film director Hassan Akkad

      Join us to watch this short film exploring lived experience of the harsh realities of the UK’s broken asylum system.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      30Oct

      Report launch: From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for Britain

      Join us for the regional launch of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees report From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      01Oct

      We know inequalities matter and have a huge impact on mental health, why are we so bad at doing something about it?

      A panel discussion organised as part of the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health Conference 2024

      Please note: this event has passed.

      01Oct

      ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health Conference 2024

      Discover the latest findings and emerging insights from our interdisciplinary research on the impact of rapid social changes on mental health.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      02Oct

      BELONGINGS: Exhibition

      Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      23Oct

      BELONGINGS: Film screening – MATAR + Q&A with film director Hassan Akkad

      Join us to watch this short film exploring lived experience of the harsh realities of the UK’s broken asylum system.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      30Oct

      Report launch: From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for Britain

      Join us for the regional launch of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees report From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      18Apr

      Launch event: Theorizing the social in mental health research and action

      What does a social perspective on mental health look like? And why does it matter? Join us as we explore these questions at our launch of the special issue...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      Features

      Announcing a New Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Lived Experience in Mental Health Research: Come and join us

      In this blog those involved in launching a new commission by The Lancet Psychiatry on lived experience in mental health research discuss the need to reflect...

      Website Hero Template (8)

      The importance of meaningful integration for the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees

      Effective integration into communities is central to the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees. While we know that the process of integration is...

      Integration of refugees and mental health

      Inverting the deficit model in global mental health

      In a new paper in PLOS Global Health, researchers from the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health have collaborated with mental health practitioners,...

      inverting deficit model main image flip

      World Mental Health Day: understanding the role of our society

      On World Mental Health Day, the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health is highlighting the need to understand how societal systems, structures and...

      Busy society at tube

      Understanding the role of place in refugee mental health to inform policy

      ‘Place’ is inherent in the experience of every refugee and has a deep impact on their mental health. In this blog Hannah Kienzler and Guntars Ermansons...

      The role of place in refugee mental health

      Reforming the UK's refugee and asylum system for a just and inclusive society

      We speak to Professor Hanna Kienzler about her work in the Commission on the Integration of Refugees as a commissioner and Steering Group member.

      People at refugee protest holding 'refugees & migrants welcome here' signs

      Partnerships, Power, Potential: GHSM on from 10

      This exhibition takes a look at the research being undertaken by GHSM academics and students across the world.

      GHSM on from 10 photo (1)

      Refugee mental health: understanding place, politics and migration

      Understanding 'place' is critical to supporting the mental health of refugees and migrants facing challenging conditions upon arrival.

      refugee-julie-ricard-MX0erXb3Mms-unsplash

      How can communities come together to partner for change?

      Reflections on the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health Partnering for Change Festival 2022

      CSMH Fest- Hero image

      Democratising Research: The Development of an Online Research Methods Toolkit

      We are a group of researchers made up of service users, survivors, academics, project coordinators and artists in the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental...

      Image courtesy of Tony James Allen: https://bethlemgallery.com/artists/tony/