Public Health Training
We offer resident doctors or registrars on the UK Public Health Training Programme academic placements in Public Health.
We host both Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs) and Clinical Lecturers (CLs) as well as Public Health resident doctors or registrars for academic placements. Academic projects can be based in one of our academic departments and focus on any of its key research areas.
All our accredited Public Health supervisors have an honorary or other close links with the NHS and local authorities in North London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) and/or with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
NIHR Integrated Academic Training (IAT)
Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs) complete a three-year post, with nine months dedicated to academic placement – typically taken as a block in the second or third year of public health training. These posts offer excellent opportunities to build academic careers, often leading to doctoral fellowship applications.
Clinical Lecturers (CLs) split their time equally between academic and service placements over up to four years, focusing on developing research independence.
For more information and current vacancies, visit the NIHR Integrated Academic Training website.
Support for resident doctors
UCL IAT programmes provide access to resources like courses, mentoring, coaching, and events organised by the UCL Clinical Academic Training Office (CATO). Resident doctors can also join the CATO committee to help shape events and support initiatives.
The UCL Academic Careers Office offers administrative support and access to the NIHR Annual Bursary (£1,000/year) for conferences, workshops, and research visits, as well as the NIHR MSc Training Fund. CLs can also apply for Starter Grants from the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Placement opportunities
We offer 6- to 12-month tailored academic placements for Public Health resident doctors and registrars, typically in the later stages of training. Open to applicants nationwide, these placements can be completed remotely and support KA8 learning outcomes, as well as skills in policy, public engagement, teaching, and presentations.
Departments and supervisors
Placements can be taken across several departments within the UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences, each led by renowned experts:
| Department | Institute Director | Supervisors |
|---|---|---|
| UCL Institute for Global Health | Professor Shabbar Jaffar | Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Professor Nigel Field (Educational Supervisor) Professor Pam Sonnenberg Professor Delan Devakumar Dr Cat Pinho-Gomes |
| UCL Institute of Health Informatics | Professor Laura Shallcross | Professor Harry Hemingway, Professor Laura Shallcross |
| Dr Rachel Knowles (Educational Supervisor) Dr Oliver Mytton (Educational Supervisor) | ||
| Dr Serena Luchenski Professor Rosalind Raine Dr Jessica Sheringham Dr Logan Manikam (Educational Supervisor) | ||
| EGA Institute for Women’s Health Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy Research Unit in Reproductive Health | Professor Anna David | Dr Jenny Hall and Professor Judith Stephenson |
Our accredited Public Health supervisors maintain strong connections with the NHS, local authorities in North London and KSS, and UKHSA, ensuring valuable real-world insights and collaboration opportunities.
Collaboration initiatives
Local Authority Public Health Research Network (LAPHRN)
LAPHRN, hosted by the faculty and ARC North Thames, promotes collaboration between academia and local authorities in London. Registrars at UCL can work on translational projects and arrange split placements. The NIHR Public Health Research Centre offers doctoral fellowships for PhD opportunities in local authorities. Dr Jessica Sheringham leads the network.
UCL Health of the Public
UCL Health of the Public unites various disciplines to improve health. It focuses on factors like diet, environment, and social interactions, promoting research across fields such as engineering, climate science, and law. Collaborating with communities, government, the NHS, and industry, it aims to ensure a healthier future.
For more information, visit the Local Authority Public Health Research Network (LAPHRN) and UCL Health of the Public.
What our trainees say
Our Public Health placements have a strong track record of success, with many placements leading to PhD projects funded by prestigious and competitive doctoral fellowships.
I have really enjoyed my ACF placement at the Institute for Global Health. I have had the opportunity to work on, and lead, various projects and explore different methodologies while carving out a research niche for myself within a larger project. This has led to numerous outputs like writing papers, presenting at a conference, and co-leading an MSc module. I have also been able to access resources such as coaching and networking opportunities. As such, I have gained invaluable research experien
I am a Public Health ACF currently carrying out an academic placement with UCL’s GOS Institute of Child Health. Working here as has provided me with some great opportunities to learn and progress in my career, and I don’t think I would have found the same opportunities anywhere else. Moreover, my supervisors have been engaged and supportive. I feel the team is really invested in my progress.”Aidan