Dr. Ruth M. Gibson is a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Health Policy at Stanford University School of Medicine and a Postdoctoral Fellow by Courtesy at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.
Research Focus
Dr. Gibson’s research seeks to improve maternal and child health in geopolitically complex countries—those dealing with war, other forms of geopolitical coercion such as sanctions, and diplomatic challenges. Her work bridges global health, international relations, and health policy to understand how geopolitical interventions affect population health outcomes.
Current Projects
UN Human Rights Collaboration: Dr. Gibson is working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Council to develop a universal system of monitoring to assess the impacts of sanctions on human rights.
Global Burden of Disease: She collaborates with the Global Burden of Disease Consortium at the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, contributing to global health estimation and forecasting efforts.
Lancet Series on Foreign Aid: Dr. Gibson is presently co-leading a Lancet series examining the future of foreign aid, investigating how military aid, humanitarian aid, and official development assistance can be more effectively harnessed to fulfill their intended goals.
Recent Impact
Her groundbreaking research published in The Lancet Global Health (2025) was the first study to assess the global impact of aid sanctions on human health. The study found that aid sanctions lasting five years or more can negate 64% of progress against maternal mortality, 29% of progress for infants, and 26% for children under 5. This research has influenced policy discussions on the humanitarian consequences of economic sanctions.
Background
Prior to her academic career, Dr. Gibson dedicated a decade to humanitarian and global health endeavors across eight countries on five continents, focusing on fragile states confronting poverty, human rights violations, and armed conflict. This extensive field experience informs her research approach and commitment to evidence-based policy recommendations.
Her research has been published in prestigious journals including The Lancet and The Lancet Global Health, and her insights on geopolitics and human health have been featured in international media outlets, including TIME magazine.
Automation Test
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