Q&A with Omar Hallab

Why did you choose UCL?

I was drawn to UCL’s intellectual boldness and global outlook. I wanted to study in a place that was not only academically rigorous but also politically and socially engaged. 

UCL’s reputation for critical thinking, interdisciplinarity, and its commitment to challenging dominant narratives resonated deeply with me. Being in London also meant access to diverse communities, ideas, and opportunities beyond the classroom. 

What do you miss most about your time at UCL?

I miss the constant sense of possibility. There was always a lecture, debate, exhibition, or spontaneous conversation that would shift how I saw the world. I miss long discussions after seminars, studying in the library surrounded by people equally driven and curious, and the feeling that ideas truly mattered. 

I also miss the diversity of perspectives, being challenged by classmates from different backgrounds expanded my thinking in ways that continue to shape my work and life today.

Are there any experiences from your time at UCL that shaped or supported you in your future career?

Several experiences at UCL shaped my career trajectory. Modules that encouraged critical engagement with inequality, power and global systems fundamentally influenced how I think about health and social justice today. 

Outside the classroom, attending public lectures and student-led events broadened my understanding of global challenges and connected theory to practice. Those experiences laid the intellectual foundations for my later work in public health.

What career support did you receive from UCL?

UCL Careers provided practical and strategic support at key moments. CV workshops and one-to-one guidance helped me articulate my interdisciplinary background with clarity and confidence. Careers fairs and employer events exposed me to pathways I had not previously considered, particularly in research and consultancy. Access to alumni networks also helped me understand how others had translated academic interests into meaningful careers. 

The support was not just about securing a job, but about learning how to position myself thoughtfully and navigate complex professional environments.

Tell us a bit about your career

I currently work as a Health and Social Impact Consultant, where I lead and contribute to Health Impact Assessments for major infrastructure and development projects across the UK. 

My role involves analysing how policies and projects affect population health, inequalities and wider determinants such as employment, housing, environment and access to services. I collaborate with planners, environmental specialists and public health stakeholders to ensure health considerations are embedded in decision-making. 

I arrived here through a combination of postgraduate study in public health, research fellowships, and a continued commitment to understanding how structural forces shape health outcomes. 

What has been your career highlight so far?

One of my career highlights has been leading Health Impact Assessments for nationally significant infrastructure projects across the UK. Contributing to decisions that shape environments, communities and long-term population health has felt both humbling and meaningful. 

Presenting findings to planners, stakeholders and public health professionals and seeing health considerations embedded into policy and design has been especially rewarding. Being able to translate research and evidence into practical recommendations that influence real-world outcomes has affirmed why I chose this field.

What are your future career aspirations?

My long-term aspiration is to continue working at the intersection of research, policy and practice, particularly in relation to health inequalities and planetary health. I hope to pursue doctoral research and contribute to strengthening how health is integrated into environmental and planning decision-making. I am also interested in teaching and mentoring future public health professionals. Ultimately, I want my work to support more equitable, sustainable systems that improve both human and environmental wellbeing.

What makes you most proud to be a UCL alumnus?

I am proud to be a UCL alumnus because of the institution’s strong tradition of critical inquiry and social engagement. UCL encourages students to question assumptions, challenge injustice and think beyond disciplinary boundaries. 

That ethos continues to shape how I approach my work and the responsibilities I feel as a public health professional. 

Is there any advice you would like to give future UCL students?

Be intellectually curious beyond your syllabus. Attend lectures outside your department, engage with people who think differently from you, and allow yourself to change your mind. 

Take advantage of the networks and opportunities around you, but do not rush the process. Growth often happens in unexpected ways. Most importantly, develop the confidence to connect your academic interests to the kind of impact you want to have in the world.

More information

• Learn more about the Social Sciences BSc
• See more student Q&As

Last updated 28 April 2026.