Dr. Nur Afiqah's past research work has examined institutional-related structures associated with optimal adherence to HIV treatment among HIV-positive people who use illicit drugs (PWUD). This epidemiological work has been informed by sociological perspectives which framed the research questions within a wider social, economic and policy environment. As such, her doctoral research project applied institutional perspectives from a sociological view to explore the extent to which individual and organizational interactions are aligned in achieving a patient-centred care approach, specifically to facilitate improvements in HIV care outcomes among PWUD.

Her current research activities have incorporated a community-based participiatory research (CBPR) component. Using this approach, she engages with local communities of PWUD and NGOs that serve these populations, whose collective views in the design and implementation of health programs are key in developing effective interventions. Additionally, she is actively involved in knowledge-transfer activities, promoting the use of evidence-based practices in real-life settings. She is also interested in drug policies, especially the impact of existing policies on youths and families. 

She is also the advisor of the Student-Led Action for Evidence-Based Drug Policies (SLED), run by youths for youths.