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The Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research is delighted to welcome Professor Benjamin Ewert as a new member, who joins the Institute as a visiting scholar for one year starting June 2025.

Prof. Dr. Benjamin Ewert is a political scientist with a specialization in health and social policy, currently serving as Professor of Politics for Health Professions at the Department of Health Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences. He holds a Venia Legendi in Political Science from Heidelberg University and earned his doctorate summa cum laude in Social Sciences from Justus Liebig University Giessen. His academic career has been shaped by a strong interdisciplinary and comparative approach to public policy. With a research focus that includes behavioural public policy, empirical policy analysis, and social innovation, Prof. Ewert explores how governance structures and policy instruments can be designed to enhance public services—particularly in the fields of health and social welfare.

During my Visiting Scholarship at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, I will undertake a research project that critically examines Health System Resilience (HSR) through a political science lens, with a particular emphasis on integrating the Political Determinants of Health (PDoH) into resilience discourse. While both HSR and PDoH have gained visibility in global health scholarship, their integration remains underexplored - especially in political science. My research addresses this critical gap by drawing on institutional theory to analyze how governance arrangements, power structures, and historical legacies shape the capacity of health systems to become resilient.

I plan to conduct a scoping review of the literature as the foundation for the analytical framework I am developing. Preliminary findings suggest that political dimensions - such as institutional path dependency, power dynamics, and civic engagement are often insufficiently addressed or conceptually fragmented in the literature. To address this, I propose a more integrated framework grounded in political and institutional theories, specifically drawing on insights from historical institutionalism, policy networks, and governance theory.

In addition to advancing this core research agenda, I look forward to engaging with the Dahdaleh Institute’s vibrant interdisciplinary community. I hope to engage in informal and formal meetings with faculty, research fellows, and graduate students to exchange ideas and receive constructive feedback on my research. Such engagements will also help strengthen my academic network and open avenues for future collaboration.

Most importantly, I am excited about the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with colleagues at the Dahdaleh Institute. I look forward to the conversations, critiques, and co-creations that will emerge from this scholarly exchange. This Visiting Scholarship represents a unique chance to deepen my interdisciplinary expertise and contribute meaningfully to the emerging political science of health.

Read more about Benjamin

The Dahdaleh Institute has provided invaluable support in making this Visiting Scholarship possible. I am especially grateful to Professor Mary E. Wiktorowicz for her generous sponsorship and guidance. The Institute’s excellent organization, welcoming environment, and access to an interdisciplinary network have created ideal conditions for focused research, scholarly exchange, and collaboration. Participation in seminars, events, and meetings has enriched my project by exposing me to diverse global health perspectives. The Institute’s infrastructure and collegial atmosphere have greatly facilitated my work, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to develop my research within such a dynamic academic setting. — Benjamin Ewert

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