Stan Papoulias

Dr. Stan Papoulias is a Research Fellow and Deputy Theme Lead for Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Research at the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South London, based at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). Their work focuses on PPI methodologies, mental health service design, and labor dynamics in research. Previously trained in Cultural Studies, Papoulias transitioned to health research post-2012, contributing to projects like Design in Mind (using participatory visual methods) and Consent for Contact (user-valued consent processes). Their current research explores PPI workforce labor within neoliberal contexts and co-production challenges in healthcare research.

Education & Background:

• Academic training in Cultural Studies, Media, and Communications
• Long-term mental health service user perspective
• Transition to health research due to shifts in arts funding and mental health challenges

Research Interests:

• Qualitative and visual methodologies for understanding patient experience
• Labour relations in research ecosystems
• Epistemic roles of service user knowledge
• Historical definitions of PPI

Key Projects:

• NIHR-funded studies mapping PPI practices in mental health research
• Multi-method participatory study on PPI workforce labor (2024)
• Development of trauma-informed assessment guidelines

Grants & Collaborations:

• NIHR funding since 2015
• Collaborations with SURE (Service User Research Enterprise)
• International co-productions on healthcare quality improvement

Labs/Teams:

• Member of the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre
• Key contributor to the IoPPN's PPI Theme