Dr Shimaa Elkomy
Academic and research departments
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Centre for Environment and Sustainability.About
Biography
Dr Shimaa Elkomy is an applied economist with more than 10 years of experience working with national surveys and administrative datasets. As a quantitative researcher at the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity, she has highly diversified research portfolio that empirically examine various timely and pressing policy challenges. She has a particular interest in applying economic analysis in wide array of policy domains as economic productivity, sustainability, wellbeing, policy outcomes and economic performance. Dr Elkomy is currently a senior research fellow at the University of Surrey leading on a project sponsored by What Works Centre for Wellbeing and commissioned by HMT and Department of Levelling-up, Housing and Communities to examine the effect different economic, social, spatial and regional indicators on wellbeing across England, Scotland and Wales using English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Shimaa is an accredited Office for National Statistics researcher and leads more than one projects using confidential data under the Secured Research System for example Opinions and Lifestyle Survey and Homelessness Case Level Collection (H-CLIC). Shimaa’s current work builds on the foundations of her PhD at the School of Economics at Lancaster University and on a range of projects she led in the School of Economics at the University of Surrey, School of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Strathclyde, and finally What Works Centre for Wellbeing.
Teaching
I have extensive experience teaching a wide range of economics courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. At Lancaster University and the University of Surrey, I have taught core modules in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Quantitative Methods, and Econometrics, where I focused on equipping students with robust analytical and practical skills. My teaching approach emphasises real-world applications, critical thinking, and the use of software tools like Stata for econometric analysis.
In addition to core economic subjects, I have led modules in Environmental and Ecological Economics for BSc students in Environment and Sustainability programs. These courses explore the intersection of economic policy and environmental challenges, preparing students to address contemporary issues in sustainable development (https://catalogue.surrey.ac.uk/2024-5/module/ENG1094).
Since 2018, I have also served as a Visiting Lecturer for Boston University’s Global Programme in London, leading the International Economics module. This role has allowed me to engage with a diverse cohort of international students, providing insights into global trade dynamics and economic policy from both theoretical and applied perspectives.
I also lead the Measuring Sustainability module (ECOM082) at the MSc. programme at the University of Surrey. This course equips students with the essential tools to evaluate and quantify sustainability performance across various economic sectors. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks and practical applications, students learn to apply key sustainability indicators, conduct environmental impact assessments, and interpret sustainability reporting standards. My approach emphasises integrating economic, environmental, and social metrics, ensuring students gain a holistic understanding of sustainability measurement in the context of contemporary policy challenges. This module complements my broader teaching portfolio, particularly in Ecological Economics and Quantitative Methods, by fostering interdisciplinary skills essential for addressing today’s global sustainability issues. (https://catalogue.surrey.ac.uk/2024-5/module/ECOM082)
Sustainable development goals
My research interests are related to the following:
Publications
Highlights
Elkomy, S. and Jackson, T. (2024). WHO Noncommunicable Diseases Global Monitoring Policy: Pandemic Resilience in Low-income Countries. Socioeconomic Planning Science.
Elkomy, S. and Jackson, T. (2023). Health resilience and the global pandemic: the effect of social conditions on Covid-19 death. Journal of International Development.
Elkomy,S. , Hilary, I. and Read, R. (2020). "Foreign Innovation and Productivity Growth in the Manufacturing sector. Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, 1-22.
Elkomy, S.,Hilary, I. and Read, R. (2020). "FDI and Growth in Egypt: Aggregate and Heterogenous Sectoral Effects”. Review of Development Economics, 24(4), 1511-1528.
Elkomy, S. and Murad, Z. (2020). Can the quality of leadership in the NHS affect quality performance in the English Hospitals? International Public Management Journal, 1-28.
Elkomy, S., Cookson, G. and Jones, S. (2019). The efficiency effects of Contracting-out of cleaning services in healthcare. Public Administration Review. 79(2), 193-202
Elkomy, S., & Cookson, G. (2020). Performance management strategy: waiting time in the English national health services. Public Organization Review, 20(1), 95-112.
Elkomy, S. (2018). Contract Management Capacity: the case of the UK Public Service. Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance.
Elkomy,S., Hilary, I. and Read, R. (2016). Economic and Political Determinants of the Effects of FDI On Growth in Transition and Developing Countries. Thunderbird International Business Review, 58(4), 347-36
Elkomy,S. (2011). The Impact of the European Mediterranean Partnership on Business Development in Mediterranean Region and its Future Aspirations. Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. 1st edition. Italy, Milano: FrancoAngeli.
WORKING PAPERS
Elkomy, S., Mair, S. and Jackson, T. (2023). Energy and productivity interrelations: examination of the production and behavioural perspectives. Under Review.
Elkomy, S. and Jackson, T. (2023). Examining the coupling of sustainability and the English healthcare outcomes: quality effects and market drivers. Under Review.
Elkomy, S.and Isham , A. Pandemic Analysis for Wellbeing Indicators: New Evidence from the Opinion and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) and English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). What Works Centre for Wellbeing.
Elkomy, S. Work and Mental Health Effects on Wellbeing of Healthcare Workers during the Pandemic.
Elkomy, S. The effects of Political Marginality on Healthcare Outcomes in the UK: Empirical evidence from 522 English Constituencies. Working paper.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Elkomy, S.and Vecchi, M. Green Transitions in UK Labour Market: Analysis of Green Jobs and Green Skills. Green Economy Action Plan Report. Council of Great Authorities of London.
What makes a country better prepared for a pandemic? | University of Surrey
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240318/National-disease-prevention-…
Elkomy, S. Perception of ageing and wellbeing in the UK. https://whatworkswellbeing.org/people/dr-shimaa-elkomy/
Elkomy, S. Lockdown, home-schooling and wellbeing impacts – A look at the UK numbers. https://cusp.ac.uk/themes/s1/blog-se-lockdown-homeschooling-wellbeing/
Elkomy, S. Who suffered the most during homeschooling? Parents of young kids and older children. https://covidandsociety.com/homeschooling-parents-of-young-children-teenagers-suffered-most/
Elkomy, S. Outsourced Cleaning Leaves a Dirty Mark. Facilitate Magazine. http://www.facilitatemagazine.com/comment/perspectives/outsourced-cleaning-leaves-a-dirty-mark/
Elkomy, S. Out-sourcing Hospital Services. Healthcare-in-europe.com, https://healthcare-in-europe.com/en/story/12177-out-sourcing-hospital-services.html
GRANT ACTIVITIES
Panel Member at Work and Health Committee- The UK National Institute for Health and Care Research
PI in ESRC-Surrey Living Lab Grant: Sustainability in the Public Sector -2020