Sanjoy Bhattacharya

Professor Sanjoy Bhattacharya is Head of the School of History and Professor of Medical and Global Health Histories at the University of Leeds, within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures. He concurrently serves as Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Health Histories since 2013 (renewed 2017, 2021), where he integrates historical analysis into global health policy frameworks. His interdisciplinary work spans colonial/post-colonial South Asia, diaspora studies, and international health governance.

Education:

• B.A. (Hons.) History, St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, India
• M.A. in Modern History, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
• Ph.D in History, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK

Research Focus: Bhattacharya pioneers methodologies combining archival research, oral histories, and policy analysis to study health systems in low/middle-income countries. His work emphasizes racial equity, community engagement, and decolonization of global health practices. Core interests include the socio-political determinants of disease eradication programs, diaspora healthcare contributions, and ethical frameworks for international health diplomacy.

Global Health Leadership:

• WHO Epidemic & Pandemic Preparedness & Prevention advisor (Health Emergencies Programme)
• Advisor to WHO Europe (Behavioural Insights), Eastern Mediterranean (Universal Health Coverage), and Communications Department
• Nuffield Council on Bioethics contributor for global health emergencies
• Lancet GRacE Advisory Group member on racial equity
• Wellcome Trust collaborator on decolonizing global health initiatives

Academic Leadership: As Co-Director of the Centre for Global Health Histories, he fosters international collaborations and supervises postgraduate researchers. He engages extensively with global media (BBC, Channel 4) and educational resources, including BAFTA-winning materials on smallpox history.