Dr. Lars Dumke

Fellowship

Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs

Period of the Fellowship

2025

Project title

Leave no one behind: Building inclusive and equitable mental health care systems

Short biography

As a Mercator Fellow, Dr. Lars Dumke focuses on how mental health systems can become more inclusive and equitable to promote mental health for all. He explores strategies to improve access to high-quality, patient-centred care and how the needs of marginalised populations can be adequately taken into account. He places particular emphasis on strengthening mental health and psychosocial support in contexts of conflict, displacement, and health systems with limited resources.

Lars holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has particular expertise in addressing mental health inequity, especially for migrant and refugee populations. He has worked for national and international NGOs and research institutions in Germany, the DR Congo, Iraq, Uganda and Tanzania. Among other international organizations, he is spending part of his fellowship working with the World Health Organization (WHO).