Postgraduate research students

Shaofen Xu

Published Name: Xiaofeng Xu

Email: x.xu.2@research.gla.ac.uk

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shaofenxu

GitHub: github.com/shaofenxu

Open Science Framework: osf.io/6psvc

ORCID iDhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-0598-7901

Research title: The impact of minimum unit pricing on intersectional inequalities in alcohol consumption and related harms in Scotland: a quasi-experimental evaluation

Research summary

Shaofen's research uses quantitative, epidemiological approaches to investigate structural and social determinants of health, with a particular focus on substance use. He is exceptionally interested in using cutting-edge methods and real-world evidence to evaluate relevant public health interventions, especially national policies. He is experienced in using R language to apply a novel multilevel modelling framework (i.e., MAIHDA) of intersectionality, and is currently exploring its integration into advanced Bayesian quasi-experimental designs (e.g., natural experiments). For real-world implications, his research aims to inform tailored, targeted measures to foster population-level health equity.

Publications

Prior publications

Works published at other institutions

Conference item

Shaofen Xu, Jim Lewsey, Eliud Kibuchi, Eliud Kibuchi, Peter Craig (2026) Who benefits from Scotland’s alcohol minimum unit pricing? School of Health and Wellbeing Postgraduate Research Annual Conference Xiaofeng Xu. (doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/Y5M6U)

Shaofen Xu, Eliud Kibuchi, Eliud Kibuchi (2025) Evaluating the impact of minimum unit pricing on alcohol consumption across gender, age and socioeconomic status in Scotland University of Glasgow's Masters in Public Health Student Conference (2024–25) Xiaofeng Xu.

Other

Shaofen Xu (2026) Beyond the log transformation Xiaofeng Xu.

Grants

Santander Scholarship: Santander Career Support Award 202526

Conferences

Xu, X., Lewsey, J., Kibuchi, E. and Craig, P. 2026. Who benefits from Scotland’s alcohol minimum unit pricing? A novel CITS-MAIHDA framework for intersectional inequality evaluation. [Digital poster]. School of Health and Wellbeing Postgraduate Research Annual Conference. 18 May, Glasgow. [Online]. [Access date]. Available from: https://osf.io/y5m6u/files/hd4ms (Project DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Y5M6U) (Winner of the Audience Vote).

Xu, X. and Kibuchi, E. 2025. Evaluating the impact of minimum unit pricing on alcohol consumption across gender, age and socioeconomic status in Scotland: A pre- and post-implementation analysis using the Scottish Health Survey data of 2017 and 2019. [Presentation slides]. University of Glasgow's Masters in Public Health Student Conference (202425). 4 June, Glasgow. [Online]. [Access date]. Available from: https://raw.githack.com/shaofenxu/MPH_Project_MUP-Evaluation-via-Intersectionality-and-SHeS-data/main/Project%20Justification%20Presentation.pdf (Voted third for 'Best Presentation – Day 2' by the audience).

Teaching

Xu, X. 2026. Beyond the log transformation: Modelling zero-inflated continuous (semi-continuous) data using Tweedie generalised linear mixed models (GLMMs). [Lecture slides]. School of Health and Wellbeing Postgraduate Taught Masterclass. 8 May, Glasgow. [Online]. [Access date]. Available from: https://raw.githack.com/shaofenxu/Tweedie-GLMM-Practical/7874664b6654dc4d005ea6f8784404e78b4916a6/Slides_Tweedie_Masterclass.pdf

Additional information

Shaofen is an advocate for open research and Diamond Open Access.