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Maham Khawaja

Department, Institution: Institute of Epidemiology & Health, UCL
UBEL Pathway: Lifecourse and Social Epidemiology
Supervisor: Professor Anne McMunn
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maham-khawaja-957693151/
About Me

I’m Maham Khawaja from Pakistan, starting my PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health at UCL. I previously worked as a Lecturer in Psychology at NUST, Islamabad, and hold a BS from Kinnaird College, Lahore, and an MS in Clinical Psychology from NUST. 

My academic journey has centred on understanding how family dynamics influence children’s well-being, particularly the often-overlooked role of fathers. Alongside research, I’ve loved mentoring undergraduates and collaborating internationally with ICOPAR (Penn State University). 

Beyond academia, I enjoy spending time with my friends, taking long walks, and reading psychological thrillers. I’m also passionate about breaking stereotypes about women balancing personal, health, and professional challenges. Resilience is at the heart of my story. 

My Research

My PhD project aims to study the role of paternal leave and father involvement in the Social and Emotional Behaviors of children from Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi ethnic backgrounds. Using the Millennium Cohort Study, I’ll look at: 

  • Ethnic differences in paternal leave uptake and involvement.  
  • How father involvement influences child behavior over time. 
  • Whether supportive couple relationships play a mediating role. 

 

By applying advanced longitudinal methods (growth curve modelling and SEM), my project aims to highlight the significance of paternal leave and involvement and how cultural contexts shape positive fathering and child development outcomes. 

Impact of My Research

My research will inform policies around paternal leave and family well-being, ensuring they are inclusive of ethnic minority families. By highlighting cultural differences in paternal leave uptake and father involvement, the findings can guide UK policymakers, NGOs, and service providers in designing more effective and culturally sensitive interventions. 

I aim to work with partners like the Early Education and Childcare Coalition and UCL Public Policy, in the hopes of making my research useful not only to academics but also to the families and communities it represents. Ultimately, I aim to support children’s healthy development and empower fathers to be more engaged in family life.