Dr Sarah Steele
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Email
s.steele@essex.ac.uk -
Location
Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
Dr Sarah Steele, a Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care and Member of the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex, has carved a significant career in public health, law, and policy analysis. Her professional journey has led her through prestigious institutions such as Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the Australian National University, showcasing her extensive expertise in these fields. Sarah's focus on interventions aims to drive better health for all. Her ability to offer actionable recommendations for policy optimization and governance decisions underscores her significant impact on the academic and policy-making communities. Her approach to health and social care is enriched by her proficiency in diverse subjects, including Law, Criminology, International Relations, Politics, Sociology, and Global Health. Having previously worked in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom for lawmakers and policy-makers, her experience and breadth of knowledge enable Sarah to supervise and guide students and other stakeholders, offering holistic and inclusive educational, research, and policy advice. During her tenure as Deputy Director of the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, Sarah applied academic research to practical governance, focusing on some of the most urgent global challenges. Her commitment to creating meaningful societal impact was evident as she convened expert teams to address complex societal issues, bringing forth innovative solutions that benefit society as a whole. While at the Intellectual Forum, Sarah generated income, convened expertise, and produced various reports on AI, Big Data and Healthcare; Food, Farming and Climate Change; Housing, Homes and Urbanisation; Reconfiguring Careers: Recruitment, Retention, and Diversity; Global Mobility; and Ageing Well. In her advisory and spokesperson roles for government and leadership entities, Sarah collaborates with various stakeholders and researchers, delivering on her commitment to social justice and a violence-free world through active intervention training and support. She has been an expert advisor to the ENOUGH! Campaign, driving forward initiatives for creating collective responsibility in addressing sexual misconduct and wider social harm. Sarah’s contributions have been recognized in various capacities, including speaking to over 50 universities on active intervention, alongside training individuals from front-facing staff to CEOs. She has provided continuing professional development and away days for business leaders, healthcare workers, and human resources staff. An established guest expert and speaker, Sarah has made appearances on television, radio, and webinars, as well as in the press around the world. She has been featured on BBC Panorama and Breakfast, Women’s Hour, World Series, CNBC, CBC, Channel 4 News, ITV, Sky News, and GB News, and has been covered in long or short-form pieces in Le Monde, The Guardian, The New York Times, Sydney Morning Herald, and over 191 other outlets. As a keynote speaker and panellist at national and international conferences, she has offered expert consultation on projects with the WHO, spoken at World TB Day about exploitation, and produced training modules reaching learners in 130 countries. Sarah is an esteemed graduate with degrees from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Queen Mary University of London, Arden University, and Flinders University, Sarah exemplifies academic excellence and professional dedication. Her scholarly output encompasses academic publications, comprehensive reports, and advisory opinions, consistently informing and shaping policy frameworks. Sarah's contributions to academia and beyond are driven by a steadfast mission to enhance societal well-being and foster equitable health landscapes for all. Her innovative solutions to complex societal challenges have made her a sought-after advisor and spokesperson in government and leadership circles.
Qualifications
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DPhil (Law and Criminology) University of Oxford, (2011)
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PhD (by incorporation) University of Cambridge,
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MSc (Psychology) Arden University,
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MA (International Studies with Health Securitisation Dissertation) Flinders University,
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LLB (Hons) Flinders University,
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BA (Criminology and International Relations) Flinders University,
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PGCAP (with focus in Medical Education) Queen Mary University of London,
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Social Determinants of Health (HS869)
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Introduction to Global Health (HS887)
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Public Mental Health (HS958)
Publications
Journal articles (41)
Steele, S. and Cooke, N., (2024). Human Milk Products in the National Health Service: A Cross-sectional Survey of Use and Industry Contact across England's Trusts. JRSM Open. 15 (5), 20542704241237658-
Dowling, T. and Steele, S., (2023). Is sexual misconduct training sufficient in the UK's medical schools: Results of a cross-sectional survey and opportunities for improvement. JRSM Open. 14 (9), 20542704231198732-
Davies, E., Vannoni, M. and Steele, S., (2023). Caregiver perceptions of England’s universal infant school meal provision during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Public Health Policy. 44 (1), 47-58
Hawkins, B., Brooks, E., Ralston, R., Lauber, K., Karreman, N. and Steele, S., (2023). The law of diminishing returns? The challenge of using freedom of information legislation for health policy research. Critical Public Health. 33 (4), 383-386
Robertson, A. and Steele, S., (2023). A cross-sectional survey of English NHS Trusts on their uptake and provision of active bystander training including to address sexual harassment.. JRSM open. 14 (4), 20542704231166619-
Atli Gunnarsson, J., Ruskin, G., Stuckler, D. and Steele, S., (2023). Big food and drink sponsorship of conferences and speakers: a case study of one multinational company's influence over knowledge dissemination and professional engagement.. Public health nutrition. 26 (5), 1094-1111
Steele, S., Sarcevic, L., Ruskin, G. and Stuckler, D., (2022). Confronting potential food industry ‘front groups’: case study of the international food information Council’s nutrition communications using the UCSF food industry documents archive. Globalization and Health. 18 (1), 16-
Bond, E., Clarke, J., Adcock, C. and Steele, S., (2022). Medicine, misconduct and confronting #MeToo. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 115 (4), 125-128
Steele, S., Sarcevic, L., Ruskin, G. and Stuckler, D., (2022). Correction to: Confronting potential food industry ‘front groups’: case study of the international food information Council’s nutrition communications using the UCSF food industry documents archive. Globalization and Health. 18 (1), 28-
Helle, S. and Steele, S., (2021). Cutting edge or ignored resource: assessing the uptake and content of the NHS e-Learning for healthcare on “identifying and supporting survivors of modern slavery”. Journal of Public Health. 43 (2), 413-419
Steele, S., Ruskin, G. and Stuckler, D., (2020). Pushing partnerships: corporate influence on research and policy via the International Life Sciences Institute. Public Health Nutrition. 23 (11), 2032-2040
Steele, SL. and Hernandez-Salazar, EE., (2020). A very lucrative liquid: the emerging trade in human milk as a form of reproductive exploitation and violence against women. International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare. 13 (2), 171-183
Steele, S., Taylor, V., Vannoni, M., Hernandez-Salazar, E., McKee, M., Amato-Gauci, A., Stuckler, D. and Semenza, J., (2020). Self-reported access to health care, communicable diseases, violence and perception of legal status among online transgender identifying sex workers in the UK. Public Health. 186, 12-16
Steele, S., Ruskin, G., Sarcevic, L., McKee, M. and Stuckler, D., (2019). Correction to: Are industry-funded charities promoting “advocacy-led studies” or “evidence-based science”?: a case study of the International Life Sciences Institute. Globalization and Health. 15 (1), 61-
Steele, S., Ruskin, G., McKee, M. and Stuckler, D., (2019). “Always read the small print”: a case study of commercial research funding, disclosure and agreements with Coca-Cola. Journal of Public Health Policy. 40 (3), 273-285
Steele, S., Ruskin, G., Sarcevic, L., McKee, M. and Stuckler, D., (2019). Are industry-funded charities promoting “advocacy-led studies” or “evidence-based science”?: a case study of the International Life Sciences Institute. Globalization and Health. 15 (1), 36-
McKee, M., Steele, S. and Stuckler, D., (2019). The hidden power of corporations. BMJ. 364, l4-l4
Hiam, L., Steele, S. and McKee, M., (2018). Creating a ‘hostile environment for migrants’: the British government’s use of health service data to restrict immigration is a very bad idea. Health Economics, Policy and Law. 13 (2), 107-117
Arulrajah, P. and Steele, S., (2018). UK medical education on human trafficking: assessing uptake of the opportunity to shape awareness, safeguarding and referral in the curriculum. BMC Medical Education. 18 (1), 137-
Steele, S., Devlin, C., Stuckler, D. and McKee, M., (2017). Tougher charging regime for “overseas” patients. BMJ. 358, j4091-j4091
Thompson, CDR., Mahay, A., Stuckler, D. and Steele, S., (2017). Do clinicians receive adequate training to identify trafficked persons? A scoping review of NHS Foundation Trusts. JRSM Open. 8 (9), 2054270417720408-
Reeves, A., Steele, S., Stuckler, D., McKee, M., Amato‐Gauci, A. and Semenza, JC., (2017). Gender violence, poverty and HIV infection risk among persons engaged in the sex industry: cross‐national analysis of the political economy of sex markets in 30 European and Central Asian countries. HIV Medicine. 18 (10), 748-755
Reeves, A., Steele, S., Stuckler, D., McKee, M., Amato-Gauci, A. and Semenza, JC., (2017). National sex work policy and HIV prevalence among sex workers: an ecological regression analysis of 27 European countries. The Lancet HIV. 4 (3), e134-e140
Steele, S., Adcock, C. and Steel, A., (2016). Ethical, legal and professional issues arising from social media coverage by UK Helicopter Emergency Medical Services. Emergency Medicine Journal. 33 (1), 57-60
Lufumpa, E. and Steele, S., (2016). Obstetric Fistula: A Narrative Review of the Literature on Preventive Interventions in sub-Saharan Africa. African Journal of Reproductive Health. 20 (3), 118-126
Steele, SL., Gilmore, AB., McKee, M. and Stuckler, D., (2016). The role of public law-based litigation in tobacco companies’ strategies in high-income, FCTC ratifying countries, 2004–14. Journal of Public Health. 38 (3), 516-521
Steele, S., Foell, J., Martyn, J. and Freitag, A., (2015). More than a lucrative liquid: the risks for adult consumers of human breast milk bought from the online market. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 108 (6), 208-209
Steele, SL. and Shores, T., (2015). Real and unreal masculinities: the celebrity image in anti-trafficking campaigns. Journal of Gender Studies. 24 (4), 419-435
Steele, S., Martyn, J. and Foell, J., (2015). Risks of the unregulated market in human breast milk. BMJ. 350, h1485-h1485
Steele, S., Freitag, A., McGettigan, P., Giovannoni, G. and Pollock, AM., (2015). A guide to private prescribing. Prescriber. 26 (6), 19-23
Steele, S., Stuckler, D., McKee, M. and Pollock, AM., (2014). The Immigration Bill: Extending charging regimes and scapegoating the vulnerable will pose risks to public health. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 107 (4), 132-133
Steele, SL. and Shores, T., (2014). More than just a famous face: Exploring the rise of the celebrity expert-advocate through anti-trafficking action by the Demi and Ashton Foundation. Crime, Media, Culture: An International Journal. 10 (3), 259-272
Lee, RJ. and Steele, SL., (2014). Models for Codifying International Rules for Jurisdiction, Liability, Safety and Accident Investigation for Commercial Passenger Spaceflight. Nordic Journal of International Law. 83 (3), 251-292
Stuckler, D. and Steele, S., (2014). Migrants, the National Health Service, and the threat of exclusion. Criminal Justice Matters. 98 (1), 18-19
Steele, S., Stuckler, D., McKee, M. and Pollock, AM., (2014). Authors' response to Shin: We must recognise the actual and opportunity costs of treating immigrants in the National Health Service (NHS). Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 107 (12), 466-467
Steele, S., (2013). Book review: Yvonne C. Zimmerman, Other Dreams of Freedom: Religion, Sex, and Human Trafficking. Theoretical Criminology. 17 (4), 577-580
Stuckler, D., Steele, S., Lurie, M. and Basu, S., (2013). Introduction: ‘Dying for Gold’: The Effects of Mineral Miningon HIV, Tuberculosis, Silicosis, and Occupational Diseases in Southern Africa. International Journal of Health Services. 43 (4), 639-649
Steele, S., (2013). Intoxication and Society. By Jonathan Herring, Ciaran Regan, Darin Weinberg and Phil Withington (eds). [London: Palgrave Macmillan. 2013. 320 p. ISBN: 978-1-137-00834-3.]. The Cambridge Law Journal. 72 (3), 791-794
Steele, S., (2013). Human Trafficking, Labor Brokering, and Mining in Southern Africa: Responding to a Decentralized and Hidden Public Health Disaster. International Journal of Health Services. 43 (4), 665-680
Steele, S. and Worswick, D., (2013). Destination death: a review of Australian legal regulation around international travel to end life.. Journal of law and medicine. 21 (2), 415-428
Steele, S., (2007). Trafficking in People. Alternative Law Journal. 32 (1), 18-21
Book chapters (4)
Steele, S. and Devlin, C., (2018). Access and entitlements for migrants and visitors to the UK in the English National Health Service. In: Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects of Healthcare for Migrants: Perspectives from the UK and Germany. 112- 124
(2014). Shades of Deviance. In: Shades of Deviance: A Primer on Crime, Deviance and Social Harm. Editors: Atkinson, R., . Routledge. 237- 240
Stuckler, D., Basu, S., King, L., Steele, S. and McKee, M., (2012). Politics of chronic disease. In: Sick Societies: Responding to the global challenge of chronic disease
Stuckler, D., Basu, S., King, L., Steele, S. and McKee, M., (2011). Politics of chronic diseaseWhat action is currently happening globally? Where is the money coming from, where is it going, and is it enough? Why are chronic diseases neglected? How can the priority of chronic diseases be increased?. In: Sick SocietiesResponding to the global challenge of chronic disease. Oxford University Press. 135- 184
Grants and funding
2024
Training Consultancy
Jesus College
Respectful Relationships Training
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS FT
2023
SRHR futures: Scoping review & Technical report of how commercial determinants drive information, decision-making and accountability for sexual and reproductive health and rights.
World Health Organisation
