Dr Mary Zhang

A structured development opportunity

Dr Mary Zhang, 125th Anniversary Fellow in the School of Social Policy and Society investigates inequalities that shape people's quality of life. Her research connects quantitative and qualitative analysis with real-world policy engagement, in order to help governments and international agencies create more robust social systems.

We sat down with Mary to hear more about her experience joining the University, and the importance of the 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs initiative in relation to her research. 

What is your research focus and what attracted you to join the University of Birmingham?

My work investigates ways to enhance people’s quality of life through practical, measurable solutions, particularly for communities facing multiple disadvantages. I concentrate on understanding how deprivations and inequalities intersect across sociodemographic factors and sustainable development challenges.

Much of this work focuses on low- and middle-income countries, combining quantitative and qualitative methods with policy engagement. I chose Birmingham because it combines rigorous social science with real-world impact. The University’s interdisciplinary strengths and the 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs scheme provide exactly the environment I need to link theories with practices, and to collaborate across institutes such as the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA) and the Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Science and AI (IDAI), among others.

How has the University supported your relocation, career, and development?

Relocating is always a significant step, but from my first conversations onwards, the process was clear and well supported. Support from the University made the move straightforward. Colleagues in Social Policy and across the College assisted me with navigating systems, introduced me to potential collaborators, and helped me settle into the research and teaching environments smoothly.

As part of the 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs cohort, I have benefited from structured development opportunities focused on leadership, research growth, and external engagement, which have enhanced my ability to develop an ambitious, outward-facing research, teaching, and impact agenda.

What opportunities have you accessed through the role? 

Since arriving, I have been able to utilise internal seedcorn funding, such as the Interdisciplinary Research Accelerator Award, to develop and pilot early-stage ideas and position larger bids. The research infrastructure—library collections, data services and professional support for funding and external engagement—has been excellent.

Equally important are the networks. Being embedded in Social Policy while connecting with other disciplines across the University has widened my collaboration pathways on poverty eradication, inequality and climate resilience. These links have strengthened new ideas, partnerships and collaborative opportunities. 

What impact are you hoping your research will have? 

My aim is to generate scientific evidence that helps governments and international agencies design more inclusive and resilient social policies and interventions. This includes improving how we measure and monitor marginalisation beyond income, showing how multiple inequalities intersect across different groups and locations, and working with stakeholders to co-design what works in practice.

Besides academic publications, I prioritise accessible outputs—such as policy briefs, public writings, and knowledge-exchange workshops—so academic work can generate impacts beyond academia. Ultimately, I hope my research can enable better resource allocation, more inclusive sustainability development and increased resilience for disadvantaged communities.