Nicholas Fancourt 
New Zealand
Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health
Health Systems
2011 Fulbright S&T Fellow
Nicholas Fancourt is a doctoral student in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. His academic program is in the emerging field of Health Systems, which investigates equitable and cost-effective strategies for delivering health care to disadvantaged and underserved communities. His research interests are in child health, particularly the monitoring and evaluation of child health interventions. He hopes to investigate qualitative methods that can review and improve treatment strategies for major burdens of childhood illness, such as pneumonia, thereby helping to build effective and sustainable health services at local and national levels.
A New Zealander, Nicholas is a medical doctor completing his residency in pediatrics. Prior to receiving the 2011 International Fulbright S&T Award, Nicholas worked as an intern for the World Health Organization in Geneva, and spent time as a medical student in Gambia and Pakistan. He has a strong interest in the social determinants of health, particularly the impact of poverty on child health and development, and has volunteered for the Child Poverty Action Group. He has held several other representative and advocacy roles, including as president of the New Zealand Medical Students’ Association.
In addition to his medical degree, he holds a Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) and a Master of Bioethics and Health Law (Distinction), all from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Nicholas has always been a keen hiker and skier, having been introduced to the spectacular native bush and scenery of New Zealand at a young age. He enjoys cooking, photography, and theater.