UHWB names Sylvia Szabo as new Executive Director

Dr. Sylvia Szabo has joined the Urban Health and Wellbeing Programme (UHWB) International Programme Office (IPO), hosted by the Institute of Urban Environment (IUE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Xiamen, China in May 2026.  

Dr. Szabo holds a PhD in Social Statistics and Demography from University of Southampton and MSc in Human Geography from London School of Economics and Political Science.

She brings extensive expertise in urban health, population dynamics, and socio-ecological systems. Dr. Szabo has held senior research and project leadership roles in different international consortia focusing on sustainable development and has also lead and contributed to various resource mobilization efforts. Before joining UHWB, she was the Head of Research Development and Innovation of ASEAN Centre on Active Ageing and Innovation.  

“I am thrilled to join the Urban Health and Wellbeing (UHWB) programme as Executive Director. I look forward to working with the International Science Council and our global partners to drive systemic, science-backed solutions for healthier, more resilient cities,” said Dr. Szabo.