New UCL-OHID Researchers in Residence start policy secondments

15 December 2022

UCL Health of the Public and UCL Public Policy are excited to be supporting six Researcher in Residence secondments at The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).

This scheme provides an excellent opportunity for UCL researchers to improve their knowledge and understanding of working in a government department, strengthen networks and develop skills and experience of contributing to policy work.

OHID is part of the Department of Health and Social Care, and focuses on improving the nation’s health so that everyone can expect to live more of life in good health, and on levelling up health disparities to break the link between background and prospects for a healthy life. As part of DHSC, OHID brings together expert advice, analysis and evidence with policy development and implementation to shape and drive health improvement and equalities priorities for government.

We are delighted to announce our new UCL-OHID Researchers in Residence:

Each Researcher in Residence will work closely with OHID over the next four months, on projects addressing OHID’s priorities. They will be responsible for scoping and defining their project in collaboration with OHID supervisors and partners, and working closely with key collaborators to ensure the project focus remains relevant to policy and practice. They will also lead on preparing publications, reports and presentations.

Table of researchers and projects:

UCL Researcher	Project	OHID Project Supervisor
Dr Louise Choo	Ethnic disparities in access to preventative services (e.g. CVD health checks, screening) in London using integrated routine datasets	Dr Jennifer Yip with project team support
Dr Florence Sheen	Rapid evaluation of London’s weight management programmes using mixed methods	Dr Jackie Chin
Dr Asta Medisauskaite and Dr Shoba Poduval	Development of a monitoring and evaluation framework for London’s structural racism strategy and actions	Dr Jennifer Yip and Prof Kevin Fenton, in collaboration with the London health and care system partners
Dr Matthew Jay and Dr Claire Powell (job share)	Understanding the implementation of Family Hubs in London	Robert Pears

Professor Kevin Fenton, Public Health Director for London said:
“Evidence is key to effective policy decisions, and embedding researchers into the OHID London office will maximise the impact of research on our decision making, and put research at the heart of policy. The UCL researchers in residence programme is an exciting initiative that I hope will be the start of a longer term collaboration.”

Professor Graham Hart and Professor Dame Anne Johnson, UCL Health of the Public co-Directors said:
"We warmly welcome this opportunity for UCL to work collaboratively with the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities in these important areas of health research for the people of London. The Researcher in Residence scheme offers UCL colleagues the chance to develop their skills in the communication of public health research, and to understand the pressures of policy making in real time. We are confident that this marks the beginning of a productive and mutually beneficial relationship between UCL and OHID.”

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement), said:
“Through the Researchers In Residence programme, our researchers will be able to use academic expertise and insight to tackle some of the most pressing issues to address health inequality. We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with OHID to enable Londoners to live healthier lives, and deepen the connections between policy and practice.”

This opportunity is being funded by UCL’s Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund.