After celebrating pressing “submit” on his PhD thesis, Moosa Alsubhi shares what he learnt from the process, and where he is applying his new skills…
Moosa Alsubhi, from Oman, was granted leave from his position as Vice Director of Health Investment with the country’s national government, to undertake a health economics PhD funded by RE-FRESH, the predecessor centre to RE-FRESH Next Generation.
He spent the first year of his PhD in front of his computer on the other side of the world from his supervisors — stalled from relocating to Australia by the pandemic. Despite the challenges of existing in an online world, he successfully gained confirmation of candidature in November 2021. In recently submitting his PhD, he tackled more than the usual challenges; having been parted from his wife and their four children to pursue his study dream.
He shares some insights and reflections from his PhD journey in this special Q&A.
Firstly, can you share the title of your PhD, its purpose and your supervisor details?
Sure — my Ph D was titled ‘Integrating Business Outcomes of Healthy Food Retail Strategies into Economic Evaluations’, supervised by Associate Professor Jaithri Ananthapavan (principal supervisor), Emeritus Professor Marj Moodie, (associate supervisor), Dr Miranda Blake (associate supervisor). My PpD was focused on understanding that coluntary changes to the retail food envrionment to increase healthiness must also meet commercial needs. My research therefore investigated which business outcomes are important to retailers and how they can be included in cost-effectivness analyses – filling an important gap in the current assessment of the economic credentials of healthy food retail interventions.
You have celebrated pressing ‘submit’ on your PhD thesis; what’s next for you?
As a health economist, I am returning to my previous role at the Ministry of Health in Oman. Health economics is not well-established in the country, so my colleagues and I are working to establish a new health economics department. This department will focus on capacity building, developing guidelines for health financing in Oman, conducting cost-of-illness studies, and economic evaluations.
What was the toughest research aspect of your PhD?
Data collection posed a significant challenge during my PhD due to the specific target population (owners and managers of Australian supermarkets).
What have you enjoyed most about your PhD?
I have genuinely enjoyed the collaborative aspect of my PhD journey. The relationships I have built with my advisors and fellow researchers have been the most rewarding part of this experience. This collaboration not only helped shape my research but also fostered a strong sense of community and shared purpose, making the entire journey more enjoyable and motivating.
What have you learnt most about the process and yourself while undertaking your PhD?
Throughout my PhD, I learned much about the research process, including how to break down complex problems, manage setbacks, and remain adaptable in a constantly evolving field. I also recognised the importance of persistence and time management, both of which were essential for making consistent progress. This journey has given me a deeper understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. I learned to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Ultimately, I have gained confidence in overcoming obstacles and trusting the process.
What did you learn most from your supervisors?
I consider myself very lucky to have had such great supervisors throughout my PhD. They provided not only expert guidance in my research but also invaluable mentorship. From them, I learned the value of critical thinking and how to approach research with curiosity and rigour. Their constructive feedback always pushed me to refine my ideas and work. They also created a supportive environment that allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. Their trust in my abilities helped me build confidence, and their advice on managing the PhD journey itself was truly invaluable.
What did you learn from studying at this level? Perhaps a pearl of wisdom you could share with others starting on their PhD journey…
One piece of advice I would share with those starting their PhD is to stay curious and open-minded. The road will likely be challenging, but if you stay flexible and focus on learning, you’ll find that the journey itself is incredibly rewarding. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help or lean on your support system — it’s okay to not have all the answers right away.
What are you currently doing, now that you’ve completed your PhD?
I have returned to my previous position as a health economist at the Ministry of Health in Oman.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years from now?
In the next 20 years, I see myself continuing to work at the intersection of economics and healthcare, but with a deeper focus on the economic evaluation of obesity and chronic diseases prevention interventions. I hope to be in a position where I can not only conduct high-impact research but also contribute to the implementation of evidence-based policies that improve healthcare access and outcomes.
Finally, can you please share a list of the publications that have come out of your PhD?
Of course…
Alsubhi M, Blake M, Nguyen T, Majmudar I, Moodie M, Ananthapavan J. Consumer willingness to pay for healthier food products: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 2022.
Alsubhi M, Blake M, Livingstone A, Moodie M, Ananthapavan J. How supermarket retailers value business outcomes of healthy food retail strategies: a discrete choice experiment. Frontiersin Public Health, 2024.
Brown V, Tran H, Jacobs J, Ananthapavan J, Strugnell C, Backholer K, Sultana M, Alsubhi M, Allender S, Novotny R, Nichols M. Spillover effects of childhood obesity prevention interventions: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 2023.
Tran HNQ, Al Subhi M, Ward N, Nguyen P, Sultana M, Ananthapavan J, Brown V. How much is invested in obesity prevention in Australia? An analysis of major research and Federal Government funding, 2013-2022. Public Health Research and Practice, 2024.
Naughton SS, Al Subhi M, Boelsen-Robinson T, Blake MR, Ananthapavan J, Peeters A. The change in food service costs associated with increasing the healthiness of ready-to-eat food provision: A systematic scoping review. Obesity Reviews, 2024.
And you have a further two publications currently under review. Can you share the details?
Yes, here they are:
Alsubhi M, Blake M, Moodie M, Ananthapavan J. Retailers’ perspectives of key business outcomes that impact the implementation of healthy food interventions in supermarkets and grocery stores in Australia: A cross sectional study. (Under review)
Alsubhi M, Blake M, Cameron A, Romaniuk H, Etile F, Moodie M, Ananthapavan J. Within-trial Cost-Effectiveness and modelled Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial: The Multi-Component Eat Well @ IGA Supermarkets Initiative. (Under review)
‘The relationships I have built with my advisors and fellow researchers have been the most rewarding part of this experience.’Moosa Alsubhi
