Niels Peek

Niels Peek is Professor of Health Informatics in the Division of Informatics, Imaging & Data Sciences within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester. He serves as Director of the Christabel Pankhurst Institute for Health Technology Research and Innovation, Co-director of the International Centre for Translational Digital Health, and Digital Infrastructure Lead for the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre. His leadership extends to roles as Academic Lead for the North West Secure Data Environment and Theme Lead for Health and Care within Digital Futures.

Peek holds a PhD in Computer Science from Utrecht University (2000) and MSc degrees in both Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from the same institution (1994). His methodological expertise spans the design and evaluation of informatics interventions, computerized decision support systems, statistical modeling, machine learning, data mining, qualitative research methods, and technology acceptance models.

His research program focuses on translational data science applications in healthcare, particularly in risk prediction, personalized and precision medicine, patient safety, and managing patients with multiple conditions (multimorbidity). Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on practical applications of AI and data science in clinical settings, with particular attention to electronic health records, clinical decision support, and the evaluation of digital health interventions across various healthcare contexts including primary care, hospital settings, and chronic disease management.

Peek has received significant recognition for his contributions to the field:

• Fellow of the Alan Turing Institute
• Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics
• Fellow of the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics
• President of the Society for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (2013-2017)

His editorial leadership includes serving as Associate Editor for BMJ Health & Care Informatics and on the editorial boards of npj Digital Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, and Health Data Science journals. He has secured substantial research funding including participation in the BHF Centre for Research Excellence 2024-2029 and leadership roles in multiple active projects focused on digital health, AI applications in medicine, and opioid management research.

Peek leads the Christabel Pankhurst Institute for Health Technology Research and Innovation and co-directs the International Centre for Translational Digital Health, creating collaborative environments that bridge computer science, statistics, and clinical practice to develop practical healthcare solutions. His work contributes significantly to UN Sustainable Development Goals through the University of Manchester's research beacons in Digital Futures, Data Science and AI, Sustainable Futures, and Healthier Futures.