Kate Pickett, OBE. Professor of Epidemiology, Health Sciences
Kate leads the Public Health and Society Research Group, the York Cost of Living Research Group and is Associate Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity.
She is an academic director of Health Equity North. Kate’s research focuses on the social determinants of wellbeing and inequalities.
email: kate.pickett@york.ac.uk
Our 60-second interview with Kate:
Could you please tell us what work you do in the field of mental health?
I investigate the social epidemiology of mental illness and psychological wellbeing in international comparisons, and among families living in Bradford through work with the Born in Bradford study. I’m especially interested in the roles of poverty and inequality, and the ways in which people’s livelihoods support their mental health.
What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?
My work has a strong social justice focus, and what keeps me going is the hope of being able to change society so that it supports everyone’s wellbeing.
What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?
The most challenging aspect of my work is the translation of research into policy and politics – getting policy makers to understand and use research evidence to improve people’s lives.
What impact do you hope your work is having - or can potentially have?
Potentially, this is research that can be used to support mental illness prevention and public mental health – we just need political will on the side of this transformation.
Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?
Physical activity really helps me, yoga first thing in the morning, walking in the mountains and wild swimming whenever I can, wild swimming, ballet class every week. But I also find that staying organised and on top of things is really important for managing stress levels.