About the Department of Public Health

The Department of Public Health (DPH) is part of the School of Health Sciences at The University of Manchester. Our mission is to perform world-class research applicable to populations locally, nationally and globally. We have a number of international and local projects.

DPH’s director is Professor Arpana Verma.

DPH has links with many world leading organisations including:

  • World Health Organisation
  • Health Cities
  • European Public Health Association
  • The International Society for Urban Health
  • The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region
  • The Northern Universities' Public Health Alliance

As well as these links, through the many research projects delivered by DPH, we now work with a global consortium of researchers.

Some of our past and present projects include:

‌i3HS

i3HS is a multidisciplinary project to promote teaching and research across disciplines for population health benefit through data sciences. We focus on the development of open access and CPD courses for healthcare professionals, supported by our educational framework and delivered through our technology enhanced platforms. Our virtual reality suite enables us to harness advances in 3D and 4D simulation technologies to develop cutting-edge, interactive learning materials and environments.

Poverty Reduction’s Influence On Risk factors for non-communicable diseases: a systems approach (PRIOR)

Poverty Reduction’s Influence On Risk factors for non-communicable diseases: a systems approach (PRIOR) is a project aiming to transform deprived communities in the north of England through interventions that empower individuals to escape debt and poverty, and improve their mental and physical health.


The PROTECT National Core Study

The PROTECT National Core Study on transmission and environment is a UK-wide research programme improving our understanding of how SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted from person to person, and how this varies in different settings and environments. This improved understanding will enable more effective measures to stop transmission, saving lives and getting society back towards ‘normal’

The European Urban Health Indicators System Part 2 project

The European Urban Health Indicators System Part 2 project has resulted in the largest set of comparable individual level Urban Health Indicators in the world. This work has led to the development of indicators for WHO’s Health 2020 strategy, WHO Centre for Health Development and EU indicators

Urban Health Centers Europe 2.0 (UHCE)

Urban Health Centers Europe 2.0 (UHCE) promote innovative integrated health and social care pathways, early detection of frailty, management of polypharmacy, social isolation, and prevention of falls for active and healthy ageing.

Well North

Well North is creating a movement to unleash healthy communities across the North of England. It is inspiring change by backing real people and local ideas. By connecting local people, health experts, public services, businesses, voluntary and community groups, Well North aims to improve health and wellbeing.

The Northern Universities’ Public Health Alliance (NUPHA)

The Northern Universities’ Public Health Alliance (NUPHA) is a voluntary organisation which aims to work together as a Northern academic public health community. NUPHA provides a forum that enables discussion of the various opportunities in research that can be forged from working together to tackle the many and diverse public health challenges collectively faced across the North of England

Other projects include:

  • Lead for the Integrated Interdisciplinary Innovations in Healthcare Science (i3HS) Hub
  • COVID research projects
  • Global and European Urban Health networks and partnerships including WHO Euro, WHO Centre for Health Development, UN Habitat, The International Society of Urban Health and the European Public Health Association
  • The Urban Health Index with National Drug Evidence Centre, WHO and Georgia State University
  • Healthy Ageing in rural towns
  • The Global Urban Health Indicators Interdisciplinary Hub
  • Evaluation of a Real Junkfood Café and food poverty research
  • Blood borne virus prevention, testing, treatment and evaluation
  • Evaluation of cancer awareness and early detection interventions
  • Evaluation of infection control and vaccination programmes
  • Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of health-related behaviours amongst communities in India and Nigeria
  • Climate change, net zero, and sustainability projects with Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership
  • Clinically focused audit projects with Lancashire Teaching Hospitals

Our teaching

PhD/MD/MPhil in Public Health and Epidemiology, Master of Public Health (MPH) and Research (MRes Public Health and Primary Care) and BSc (hons) in Public Health

These programmes offer an innovative approach to learning, meeting the training needs for health professionals interested in a career in public health/research or those seeking new skills in the area. We offer a fully flexible blended approach to all our programmes. https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/public-health-data/

Public Health International Summer School

Every July/August, we organise a summer school providing international students the opportunity to work alongside some of our world-leading academic and research staff. The summer school is structured to provide students with an opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics including evidence synthesis, biostatistics, health economics, health inequalities and intercultural public health. https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/summer-schools/public-health/