Paul

Profile

I hold a joint role between the University of Leeds and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), where I work at the interface of research, policy and practice. My work focuses on climate and health, health protection, and reducing health inequalities.

At UKHSA, I lead on national preparedness and response to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, cold weather, flooding and drought. Through my research and public health practice, I seek to generate and apply evidence that informs effective interventions and public policy.

Before joining Leeds, I worked across academia, local government and national public health organisations, including the University of York; City St George's, University of London; the University of Warwick; DEFRA and Toronto Public Health. My interests span climate change, environmental public health, food systems and obesity, with a particular focus on translating evidence into action to improve population health.

Responsibilities

• Lecturer in Public Health
• Educational Supervision for Speciality Public Health Registrars
• Consultant in Public Health in Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA

Research interests

My research examines how environmental, social and policy determinants shape population health, and how evidence can be translated into effective public health action. I am particularly interested in developing and evaluating interventions that strengthen resilience, reduce health inequalities and support adaptation to current and emerging public health challenges.

My current work focuses on climate change and health, including the impacts of extreme weather on health and health services, and the development of evidence to support adaptation and resilience. As a theme lead within the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Climate Change and Health Security, I support research that informs the UK's response to climate-related health risks. Other current projects include FloodMind, which examines the mental health impacts of flooding, and WARM (Whole-system Adaptation for Resilient Mental Health), which explores how extreme weather affects mental health services and system resilience.

I also have a longstanding interest in climate and health, food systems, food policy, obesity and health inequalities. Methodologically, I employ mixed-methods approaches, with a particular interest in natural experiments and other real-world evaluations that can inform policy and practice.

Qualifications

• Diplomate & Final Membership Exam, Faculty of Public Health
• PhD in Biological Sciences, University of Birmingham
• Masters in Public Health, University of Birmingham
• MSc in Aquatic Resource Management, King's College London
• BSc in Marine Biology, University of Essex

Professional memberships

• UK Public Health Register (FR1454)

Student education

I contribute to the teaching of public health to medical and other health professional students, with a particular focus on population health, prevention, health inequalities, and evidence-informed public health practice.

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Health Sciences