Clara Heil
Department of Design Sciences
About me
I am a PhD student at the Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering at Lund University and a member of the Agenda 2030 Graduate School. I completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology in Amsterdam and moved to Stockholm to study bioentrepreneurship for my master’s degree.
Throughout my education, I have become increasingly interested in novel health interventions, particularly in the field of mental- and women’s health. However, as climate change intensifies, its impact on global health, including these fields is becoming increasingly severe. I have therefore lately committed to studying and addressing challenges that lie in the intersection between climate change and health.
About my research
As part of the EU-funded HIGH (Heat Indicators Global Health) Horizon team, I conduct research on the impact of heat on pregnant and postpartum health. I am interested in understanding how heat exposure contributes to adverse outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth and stillbirth.
In this project, I work with partners from multiple institutions and local health facilities across Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. With our work, we aim to develop and implement an early warning system designed to alert pregnant and postpartum women of incoming heat events, thereby mitigating adverse health consequences. The strongest, and most direct link of my project to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is its focus on Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG3), but it also addresses Gender Equality (SDG5), Reduced Inequality (SDG10) and Climate Action (SDG13).