Dr Carmen Späth is a socio-behavioural scientist and public health researcher. She holds a PhD in Psychology from Stellenbosch University. At the Health Systems Research Unit, she focuses on transdisciplinary and participatory approaches to community engagement in clinical trial research, as part of the Engaged Trials study. Her work also explores patient and public engagement in health policy and research, within the context of Universal Health Coverage.

She has expertise in qualitative research methods, qualitative evidence synthesis, and mixed-methods study designs. Moreover, her research interests include the following: patient and public engagement in clinical trials and health policy development, adolescent and youth mental health in the context of cumulative risk factors, integrated knowledge translation, and creative/participatory approaches for engaging adolescents and youth in health research and policy development.