Public Health and Epidemiology
We are researchers and educators working at the interface of Public Health and Epidemiology research, teaching and practice.
The University of Nottingham proudly hosts a vibrant Public Health and Epidemiology community - an interdisciplinary group of researchers and educators dedicated to transforming how public health challenges are addressed through research, education, and civic engagement.
At its core, the community commits to improving health and wellbeing at local, national, and global levels. Through collaborative research and evidence-informed education, it responds to some of the most pressing health issues of our time, underpinned by strong methodological foundations.
Our research
The Public Health and Epidemiology community holds a global reputation for excellence in expanding national and international public health and epidemiology research capacity, encouraging interdisciplinary partnerships, and responding to evolving public health priorities. These priorities include reducing health inequalities, enhancing health systems, promoting mental wellbeing, and advancing global health equity.
Reflecting the real-world complexity of public health, community members collaborate across five interlinked research themes:
- Health improvement and illness prevention
- Communication in health and healthcare
- Health inequality and intersectionality
- Health and social care services research
- Methodological innovation in research
Its methodological strengths—spanning health psychology, clinical epidemiology, quantitative and qualitative research, evidence synthesis, health economics and evaluation—support all research activities and partnerships. For example, several members of the community are expert members of The Nottingham Centre for Evidence-Based Healthcare, which is an officially designated Centre of Excellence within the JBI network.
Our community
Our postgraduate research community is vibrant, interdisciplinary, and internationally diverse. Researchers engage with a wide range of population health issues, from health inequalities and behavioural interventions to infectious disease modelling and global health policy. Students benefit from expert supervision, strong collaborative links with the NHS and public health bodies, and access to cutting-edge training and development opportunities. Regular seminars, peer-support networks, and dedicated research hubs foster a supportive and stimulating academic environment.
The community includes around 20 academic staff and 25 postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers and maintains close partnerships with external stakeholders such as the NHS, local authorities and third sector organisations. It creates an inclusive, empowering, and collaborative environment where members contribute meaningfully to research, teaching, and community engagement. The Public Health and Epidemiology community is deeply rooted in civic responsibility. Aligned with the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement, it works with local citizens and stakeholders to drive health improvement at the local and regional level, while also contributing to broader national and international objectives, including national public health policy. In global health, we work with a strong network of international collaborators- including research institutions, government and non-governmental organisations, local communities and experts by experience- to deliver research that offers real-world solutions to critical public health needs.
In every activity—from interdisciplinary research and innovative teaching to community partnerships—the Nottingham Public Health and Epidemiology community acts as a catalyst for change. It integrates research, education, and outreach to improve health and wellbeing for individuals, communities, and populations around the world.
Study Public Health and Epidemiology
Education sits at the heart of the community’s work. With over 100 postgraduate taught students each year, the community delivers high-quality, research-led teaching through formal qualifications in both public health and health psychology, as well as continuing professional development.
Our postgraduate taught qualifications are:
Our teaching teams are in receipt of multiple teaching awards, including individual and group Lord Dearing Awards and international awards such as the Universitas 2021. Students regularly present their research project findings at national and international conferences, and we have an excellent record of peer-reviewed publications resulting from their varied and innovative research. We foster the next generation of public health professionals and leaders demonstrated by our thriving alumni network.
Epidemiology and Public Health PhD/DM/MPhil