Epidemiology, Population and Global Health 


Work within this theme quantifies disease burden and risk, models transmission dynamics and anticipates outbreaks by integrating behavioural science, clinical data, and the genetics and genomics of hosts and pathogens. 

The theme draws on expertise spanning ecology, genetics, veterinary science, social science, and public health — reflecting the complexity of the challenges being addressed and the value of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Modelling

At the heart of this work is a strong tradition of mathematical and computational modelling. Researchers use phylogenetics, Bayesian inference, and machine learning to reconstruct how pathogens evolve and spread — from avian influenza and emerging RNA viruses to HIV transmission networks. This quantitative expertise is complemented by field epidemiology and experimental laboratory work.

One Health approaches

Much of the research takes a One Health approach, recognising that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected. Research spans diseases at the wildlife-livestock-human interface, including rabies, trypanosomiasis, tuberculosis, and zoonotic infections. Several researchers work extensively in sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-income settings, addressing diseases with significant global burden.

Societal impact

Research examines determinants of health and healthcare access, revealing social and structural drivers that shape exposure, outcomes and equity. 

Advanced surveillance, outbreak investigation and risk analysis inform targeted, proportionate responses in communities and health systems locally and globally.  This expertise was crucial and highly impactful during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Behaviour change insights enhance intervention design and delivery, while co‑production with stakeholders continues to inform policy decisions that are data‑driven, context‑sensitive and fair.