Global Health Policy Summer School

• State-of-the-art policy evaluation: core concepts, cutting-edge methods, and pioneering analytical techniques. 
• Introduction to data analysis software (e.g. R Studio and STATA): practical experience in data cleaning and data analysis. 
• Quantitative Methods in Evaluation Research: key quantitative methods widely used in evaluation research. It begins with foundational approaches such as descriptive statistics and progresses to more advanced methods.  
• Health financing: economic foundations of taxation and its role as a policy mechanism for funding public health interventions. Students will examine how fiscal tools can shape health-related behaviours and support broader population health strategies. 
• Environmental health: health impacts of climate change and policy interventions. Students will analyse the links between environment and health outcomes with a focus on evidence-based strategies. 
• Pharmaceutical economics and policy: development, regulation, and assessment of health technologies. Students will understand the trade-offs that policymakers face between promoting innovation, ensuring patients have access to safe and effective medicines, and budget sustainability.  

Each technique will be supported by practical examples drawn from contemporary scientific literature, equipping students with a solid understanding of their application in real-world evaluation contexts. 

The primary audience for the summer school is undergraduate students with an analytical mindset who seek to deepen their understanding of the health-related challenges faced by private as well as public actors and explore possible solutions. An economics background is welcome, but students from interdisciplinary fields, including science, engineering, management, and public health, are also encouraged to apply.  

By the end of the programme, students will have gained a solid foundation in effective policy-making strategies and economic evaluation, equipping them with the tools to understand some of the most pressing challenges in the health sector. Alongside this academic preparation, participants will benefit from unique networking opportunities at a leading university, connecting with peers and experts from research, policy, and consulting. This panoramic experience also positions graduates for further study or dynamic careers in public health, global development, health management, or policy consulting. 

• Understand how governments:
  • use fiscal policies, such as taxation, to generate revenue and influence consumer behaviours and improve health outcomes;
  • decide about which medicines are made available to patients, and how policymakers navigate trade-offs in policy implementation;
  • balance the trade-offs associated with policy implementation.   

• Gain insights into the motivations and roles of policymakers and explore how businesses can drive health innovation through technology. 

• Apply policy evaluation and econometrics toolkit to inform real-world decision-making. 

• Gain hands-on experience in conducting empirical work through data cleaning and statistical analysis using STATA or R Studio.  

• Learn how to structure and deliver research presentations to diverse audiences. 

• Strengthen critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a collaborative learning environment. 

• Develop cross-disciplinary expertise in policy evaluation tools and techniques, offering both practical experience and a solid conceptual foundation for participants aiming to transition into the field from other disciplines. 

Students will act as sustainability consultants, working in teams to provide strategic recommendations for a real-world business challenge related to health. Each team will analyse a government’s health challenge and propose an actionable, sustainable and innovative policy strategy that aligns with the goals of a fair and equitable society. 

Dr Jack Olney, Executive Director, Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation

Jack Olney is the Executive Director of the Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation at Imperial College Business School, where he drives the Centre’s strategic vision, funding growth, and operational leadership. He plays a pivotal role in expanding the Centre’s influence within the Business School and beyond, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of health, economics, and policy.

Before joining the Business School, Jack earned a PhD in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from Imperial College London. His doctoral research focused on developing advanced mathematical models of HIV dynamics to optimize investment strategies in resource-limited settings, as part of the Gates-funded HIV Modelling Consortium. His expertise lies in leveraging quantitative approaches to inform global health policy and drive impact at scale.

All students are expected to be studying an undergraduate degree, preferably in the final two years of their undergraduate studies, in any subject discipline. No prior knowledge of economics or coding experience is required. 

English requirements: 

All students are required to have a good command of English, and if it is not their first language, they will need to satisfy the College requirement as follows: 

• a minimum score of IELTS (Academic Test) 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.0 in any element) or equivalent. 
• TOEFL (iBT) 92 overall (minimum 20 in all elements) 

Students will be asked to bring along their computer for project work. 

Students will receive a Imperial College London certificate of attendance on successful completion of this programme and a prize will be awarded to the best project team.

Each student will also receive a document for their project marks.