Professor Sara Davies of Griffith University has been elected to the World Health Organization’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on Health, Migration and Displacement for the 2025–2027 term. The TAG was officially launched on 25 November 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, marking the beginning of a new phase of global collaboration to improve health outcomes for migrants, refugees and displaced communities.
Professor Davies joins a cohort of 16 international experts appointed following an open global call. The group brings together specialists in health, migration, public policy, epidemiology and humanitarian practice from across all WHO regions. Members serve in their personal capacities, providing independent scientific and technical advice to support the implementation of WHO’s Global Action Plan on promoting the health of refugees and migrants.
“I am honoured to contribute to WHO’s efforts to reduce health inequities and strengthen the evidence base for policies affecting displaced and migrant populations.”
“Ensuring that health systems respond inclusively and effectively to displacement is one of the defining public health challenges of our time.”
Supporting global action on migrant and refugee health
The TAG’s mandate is to advise WHO on policy development, research priorities, program implementation and the creation of robust, accessible technical guidance. Its key functions include:
- providing expert input on WHO reports, guidelines and recommendations
- ensuring WHO knowledge products are scientifically rigorous and relevant to diverse national contexts
- advising on strategies that address the social, economic and environmental drivers of poor health among migrant and displaced populations
- supporting the generation of evidence to inform global and national policy
The group will meet quarterly—virtually or in person—with additional sessions convened when required. Meeting outcomes will be published on the WHO website to support transparency and global knowledge-sharing.
Strengthening international public health collaboration
Professor Davies is widely recognised for her expertise in global health governance, epidemic preparedness and the protection of vulnerable populations. Her appointment reflects both her academic leadership and her long-standing contribution to research on migrant and refugee health, gender and crisis response.
The TAG’s formation comes at a critical time, as countries grapple with rising displacement driven by conflict, climate disruption and economic instability. WHO’s strengthened advisory mechanisms aim to support governments and partners to develop evidence-informed, context-specific approaches that ensure displaced and migrant communities are not left behind.
By contributing to WHO’s technical and strategic guidance, Professor Davies and her fellow TAG members will play an essential role in shaping global efforts to improve health equity and build more inclusive health systems. For further information about the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Health, Migration and Displacement, visit the WHO website https://www.who.int/groups/technical-advisory-group-on-health–migration-and-displacement
