David Batty

Professor David Batty is a leading epidemiologist at University College London (UCL), holding the title of Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Epidemiology & Public Health. He also serves as a Visiting/Honorary Professor at the Universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Oregon State. His research focuses on understanding how psychological, biological, and behavioral factors across the life course influence mortality risks, with an emphasis on prevention strategies. He employs diverse methodologies including cohort studies, Mendelian randomization, and big data analysis, and is a key investigator on major studies such as the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and the National Child Development Study (NCDS/1958 birth cohort).

Education includes a Doctor of Science from the University of Edinburgh (2014), a PhD from the University of Bristol (1999), and prior degrees from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Bristol. His work spans cardiovascular disease, dementia, obesity, homelessness mortality, and adverse childhood experiences. He collaborates globally, having worked in Brazil, Denmark, and Australia.

Research interests include the interplay of social determinants and health outcomes, cognitive epidemiology, and the use of large-scale datasets to address public health challenges. His recent studies highlight risks associated with contact sports participation, climate change impacts on mortality, and the long-term effects of childhood adversity.

• Key Research Areas: Cardiovascular epidemiology, cognitive aging, health inequalities, Mendelian randomization
• Current Roles: Principal Investigator on ELSA, Program Lead for Cognitive Epidemiology (Edinburgh)
• Grants & Funding: Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellowships, MRC collaborations

He advises doctoral students and actively contributes to policy-relevant research addressing global health challenges such as obesity, mental health, and climate change impacts.