About Us

The Centre for Population Health (CPH) is a research centre focused on understanding how early life experiences shape health and wellbeing from pregnancy to young adulthood. Previously known as the National Centre for Population Health & Wellbeing Research, we have evolved to reflect our expanding work, expertise and growing ambitions.

Our team of researchers, statisticians, and data experts analyse health and education data to provide evidence that helps improve public health, healthcare, and education.

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We work with universities, research institutions, and public health organisations across the UK and beyond. We also engage directly with the public, ensuring that our research is relevant and makes a real difference to children, young people, and families.

Meet The Team

Professor Sinead Brophy

Professor of Public Health Data Science and CPH Lead

Professor Sinead Brophy

Professor of Public Health Data Science and CPH Lead

Professor in Health Data Research UK (Wales/N.Ireland), Director of the National Centre of Population Health and Wellbeing Research and Lead of Early Years in Administrative Data Research Wales.

Member of the Independent Scientific Advisory Committee of MHRA, Member of the Medical Research Council’s Population and Systems Medicine Board (PSMB), Member of the commissioning panel for the ESRC Research Methods Development grants and Member of the College of Experts to support the DHSC/UKRI COVID-19 Rapid Response Rolling call.

Member of the UKPRP networks on Generating Excellent Nutrition for UK Schools and the Maternal and Child Health Network.

Training Lead in Wales/NI HDRUK. Module lead on Epidemiology for the BSc Population Health and Medical Sciences in Swansea.

Areas Of Expertise:

Data Science
pidemiology
Maternal and child health
Chronic conditions especially arthritis
Workplace health
Primary school network

Email:S.Brophy@swansea.ac.uk

Dr Michaela James

Researcher

Dr Michaela James

Researcher

Dr Michaela James is a research officer for the National Centre of Population Health and ADR UK. Her main research areas include the health and wellbeing of young people, in particular play and physical activity. She manages HAPPEN-Wales, a national network aimed at improving the health, wellbeing and education outcomes of primary school children across Wales. Her research involves advocating for the wants and needs of young people in their local communities to improve health and wellbeing. Her work is primarily co-produced with young people to help give them a voice on matters that affect them.

Areas Of Expertise:

Wellbeing
Physical Activity
Play
Qualitative Analysis
Surveys
Co-production

Email:m.l.james@swansea.ac.uk

Dr Tash Kennedy

Senior Research Officer & Data Analyst

Dr Tash Kennedy

Senior Research Officer & Data Analyst

Dr Natasha Kennedy is a Senior Research Officer and Data Scientist for the National Centre for Population Health and Wellbeing Research at Swansea University. Her research interests lie in utilising statistics to analyse and model life course data such as social service, education, and health data.

Email:n.l.kennedy@swansea.ac.uk

Sam Dredge

Research Officer

Sam Dredge

Research Officer

May is a Research Officer at Bangor University’s School of Health Sciences, with a strong commitment to improving population health and reducing inequalities. Her work focuses on children’s chronic pain, co-production, and meaningful public involvement in research. May uses mixed-methods and realist approaches to explore complex health issues and inform inclusive policy and practice. She is an Honorary Associate Researcher at both Swansea University and the University of Stirling, and collaborates nationally and internationally. Passionate about bridging research and lived experience, she works closely with communities, clinicians, and policymakers to drive impactful, person-centred change.

Email:M.Silveirabianchim@Swansea.ac.uk

Dr Jonathan Kennedy

Data Analyst

Dr Jonathan Kennedy

Data Analyst

Email:J.I.Kennedy@Swansea.ac.uk

Mike Seaborne

Senior Research Officer and Data Analyst

Mike Seaborne

Senior Research Officer and Data Analyst

Mike is a Senior Research Officer and Data Analyst at the Centre for Population Health with expertise in child health, pharmacometrics, and population wellbeing. He has over 15 years’ experience in paediatric pharmacy, research, and public health across NHS and academic settings.

Email:M.J.Seaborne@Swansea.ac.ukr@swansea.ac.uk

Amrita Bandyopadhyay

Researcher

Amrita Bandyopadhyay

Researcher

Amrita is a Research Officer and Data Scientist at the Centre for Population Health, Swansea University Medical School. With expertise in analysing large-scale healthcare and administrative data, she focuses on early year’s vulnerability and its impact on children's health and wellbeing. Her research employs advanced machine learning algorithms and longitudinal data linkage to develop data-driven models that inform public health strategies. By incorporating both electronic health records and birth cohort studies, Amrita aims to enhance the understanding of epidemiological trends and improve outcomes for vulnerable children through effective data modelling and visualisation.

Email:A.Bandyopadhyay@Swansea.ac.uk

Sarah Toomey

Marketing & Communications

Sarah Toomey

Marketing & Communications

Email:s.toomey@swansea.ac.uk

Flo Avery

PhD Student

Flo Avery

PhD Student

Project Title: Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Among Young People in Wales

Background: ACEs, such as domestic violence or parental loss, can lead to long-term adverse health outcomes. Despite this, there is a lack of non-clinician-delivered interventions addressing ACE impacts in Wales.

Methods: Flo's research includes a systematic review, thematic analysis, and a pilot trial of a group intervention in Welsh primary schools with public engagement workshops with young people informing intervention development.

The pilot trial aims to test a group intervention model for ACEs in schools, building towards a larger trial to provide non-stigmatising support that involves families.

Outcomes: This research aims to develop effective, non-stigmatising school-based interventions to support young people with ACEs, informing future policy and practice.

Gargi Naha

PhD Student

Gargi Naha

PhD Student

Project Title: Intersectionality of Sex and Deprivation on Young People's Emergency Acute Asthma Care in Wales

Background: Young people from deprived areas experience higher emergency hospital admission rates for asthma. This study examines how sex and deprivation intersect in their emergency care experiences and outcomes.

Methods: The study uses mixed methods, including a literature review and qualitative data co-production with young people, parents, school staff, and healthcare providers. These findings will inform an analysis plan for routine linked data from SAIL Databank.

Outcomes: Findings will empower young asthma patients to manage their health better and navigate the healthcare system effectively.

Richmond Opoku

PhD Student

Richmond Opoku

PhD Student

Project Title: Educational and Health Outcomes of Children in Care across the UK

Background: Entering social care is one of the most vulnerable moments in a child’s life. While the system aims to protect children, significant gaps remain. Across the UK, concerns persist about differences in care entry rates across Scotland, England, and Wales, as well as the factors influencing children’s long-term outcomes.

Objectives:

To identify how often children from different backgrounds enter care across Scotland, England, and Wales.
Examine the factors which explain selected educational and health outcomes of children in care.

Methodology: Using linked datasets from ADR UK, longitudinal data analysis will identify trends and factors affecting children in care across different regions.

Outcomes: The findings will inform policies to improve children's care outcomes, promote evidence-informed decision-making, and enhance trust in the social care system.

Amy Locke

PhD Student

Amy Locke

PhD Student

Project Title: The Impact of Universal Free School Meals on the Health and Wellbeing of Primary School Children in Wales

Background: In 2021, 31% of children in Wales lived in persistent poverty, impacting their health and wellbeing. Universal Free School Meals (UFSM) aims to address these issues by providing free meals to all primary school children and removing income-based barriers.

Methods: This research examines the implementation and effects of UFSM on children's physical, emotional, psychological, and social health in Wales. It uses a mixed-methods approach, including focus groups with children, interviews with school staff, and an online parent survey to gather qualitative data. Trends in self-reported health and wellbeing are tracked over time.

Outcomes: Global research suggests UFSM significantly improves children’s health and well-being. The recent roll-out in Wales offers an opportunity to track both immediate and long-term impacts. By elevating children's voices, this research contributes to the growing body of work on UFSM and aims to improve children's nutrition and health in Wales.

Eman Aldaihani

PhD Student

Vincent Opatola

PhD Student