Meet Victoria Awortwe, PhD Student

Since autumn 2022, Victoria has held a PhD position within the U-CARE research group. In her PhD project, Victoria examines social determinants and health seeking in socio-economically disadvantaged areas in Ghana and Sweden.

Victoria has previously worked as a teaching and research assistant at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana and has a social work background. She has a joint European master’s degree in social work with families and children. In her PhD project, Victoria will focus on social determinants and health seeking among adults with common mental health difficulties in socio-economically disadvantaged urban settings in Ghana and Sweden.

– I will contribute to the understanding of why a mental health treatment gap exists globally, particularly in study settings, says Victoria.

To Victoria, it is essential to involve the target group in her research.

– Since I have worked with vulnerable populations and in disadvantaged areas, I know how important it is that an intervention is tailored to the target group’s needs, Victoria explains. People in disadvantaged areas should be allowed to partake in the research process and voice their concerns.

Victoria likes the interdisciplinary research environment within U-CARE.

– I am encouraged to use my experience in social work while I am challenged to consider different perspectives and experiences.

In her free time, Victoria enjoys singing.

– Singing on apps provides me with a platform to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds, says Victoria. There is always a song that can make a difference in your life or others.