Domain Chair:

Prof. Anne Johnson

Domain Coordinator:

Sarah Welsher

The Domains encompass the breadth of research activity across the School of Life and Medical Sciences within nine core groupings. 

Get Involved

NIHR School for Public Health Research

The School for Public Health Research was established in April 2012.

The White Paper, ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in England’, was clear that public health evaluation and research will be critical in enabling future challenges to be met and opportunities realised.

In line with Government priorities, the School aims to assist in the development of the public health system by:

  • Narrowing the gap between the users and suppliers of research
  • Increasing the evidence base for effective public health practice
  • Undertaking applied translational research
  • Considering local public health needs and evaluating innovative local practices with potential for wider population benefit.

The School is a partnership between the following academic centres:

Professor Jon Nicholl, from the University of Sheffield, is the inaugural Director of the School. The lead for each of the academic centres forms the new School Executive.

Members of the School were selected after a competition for academic institutions with a proven track record in applied research and evaluative practice in public health. The selection criteria assessed by an independent panel were based on quality of research outputs, critical mass of expertise and relevance of current work.

NIHR will support the further development of involved academic institutions and provide total funding of £20m for the initiative over a five year period. The School will complement existing NIHR funding streams. For further information please visit the NIHR School for Public Health Research website.

The UCL membership is led by Anne Johnson, along with co-investigators Nick Freemantle, Michael King, Susan Michie, and Rosalind Raine.

Jobs and PhD Studentship Opportunities

National Institute for Health Research SPHR PhD Studentships

Applications are invited for three 3-year PhD studentships as part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Public Health Research (SPHR), to be based at appropriate departments within the UCL School of Life and Medical Sciences.

Two studentships will focus on a topic of the student’s choice that fits within core themes of work UCL is developing as part of the NIHR SPHR; young people, sexual health and alcohol use; and ageing well. For further information please read the additional details on these NIHR SPHR studentships.

The third studentship will focus on the development and evaluation of a theory-based smartphone application to reduce excessive alcohol consumption. It will be supervised by Professor Susan Michie, Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, and Professor Robert West, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL. For further information please read the additional details on this NIHR SPHR studentship.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate research lead to discuss their interest from the outset. This will allow research proposals to be discussed and potential supervisory teams to be identified. Please contact Professor Anne Johnson, Research Department of Infection and Population Health regarding research on young people's sexual health and alcohol use; Dr Kate Walters, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health regarding research on ageing well; or Professor Susan Michie regarding research on the development and evaluation of a theory-based smartphone application to reduce excessive alcohol consumption.

Funding for each studentship is available for 3 years to cover PhD registration fees (UK/EU), a stipend (at the rate of £16,150 per annum), a Research Training Support Grant of £2000, and research and development costs.

Person specifications - The studentships are open to those wishing to undertake a Postgraduate Research degree who have already completed appropriate research training (usually through obtaining a good Master’s degree in a relevant subject).

Eligibility - Due to funding restrictions applicants must be UK/EU nationals and have been resident in the UK for three years immediately prior to starting a PhD to be eligible.

Application process -  Please submit a 2 page CV including details of two academic or professional referees; a covering statement outlining your motivations for training in applied public health research; and a 1 page outline of your proposed research. Applications should be submitted electronically to Ms. Kay Stratton (k.stratton@ucl.ac.uk) and please state NIHR SPHR Studentship – General, or NIHR SPHR Studentship – Alcohol, as the subject of the email.

Deadline for applications: 12 noon, 10th July 2013

Interview dates: 19th July 2013 General studentships, 26th July 2013 Alcohol studentship

Start date: 25th September 2013

About the NIHR

The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility.  The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training.  Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. 

For further information on the School for Public Health Research and UCL’s involvement, please contact Sarah Welsher.