Improving mental health and healthy ageing through interdisciplinary research.
The Public and Mental Health, Ageing and the Brain (PHAB) research group brings together researchers from psychology, psychiatry, epidemiology, public health, artificial intelligence and data science to address some of today's most pressing health challenges.
Led by Dr Eolene Boyd, PHAB explores how biological, psychological, social and environmental factors interact across the life course to influence mental health, cognitive ageing and wellbeing. The group combines advanced analytical approaches with community engagement and patient and public involvement to produce research that is scientifically rigorous, socially relevant and capable of informing policy and practice.
Our work spans prevention, early intervention and healthy ageing, with a strong focus on translating research into real-world impact. We work collaboratively across the University of Cambridge and with national and international partners to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities across diverse populations.
Our approach
We believe that improving mental health and healthy ageing requires collaboration across disciplines and sectors. By combining expertise in psychology, psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, artificial intelligence and implementation science with meaningful patient and public involvement, we aim to produce research that not only advances scientific understanding but also improves lives.
Our research
PHAB's research spans multiple disciplines and brings together expertise from across psychiatry, psychology, public health and data science.
Healthy ageing
Understanding how people can maintain cognitive, emotional and physical wellbeing throughout later life.
Mental health across the life course
Investigating the factors that shape mental health from childhood through older adulthood to inform prevention and intervention.
Dementia and brain health
Improving our understanding of neurodegenerative disease and developing approaches that support earlier detection, prevention and better outcomes.
Artificial intelligence and data science
Applying advanced analytics, machine learning and population datasets to generate new insights into mental health and ageing.
Population and public health
Understanding the wider social, environmental and behavioural determinants of health to reduce inequalities and improve wellbeing at a population level.
Patient and public involvement
Working in partnership with patients, carers and communities to ensure research addresses real-world priorities and creates meaningful impact.
Group Lead
Dr Eolene Boyd
Dr Eolene Boyd is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge and leads the Public and Mental Health, Ageing and the Brain (PHAB) research group.
A social psychologist by background, Eolene's research focuses on improving public mental health through community-based interventions that strengthen resilience, self-regulation and social cohesion. Her work combines participatory research methods with public and practitioner involvement to develop culturally sensitive approaches that reduce health inequalities, social exclusion and conflict.
Her research spans healthy ageing, mental health, dementia, humanitarian settings, migration and artificial intelligence, bringing together interdisciplinary collaborations across public health, psychology, neuroscience and data science. Through PHAB, she leads a diverse team working to improve mental health and wellbeing across the life course.
Meet the team
The PHAB research group brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers with expertise spanning psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, artificial intelligence, public health, implementation science and health policy.
Group Lead
Research Team
Sarah Assaad
Ledia Alushi
Henry Musto
Doris Mutsando
Sowmiya Moorthy
Katherine Parkin
Seb Walsh
Current projects
Our research addresses important questions across mental health, ageing and population health. Current projects include work on:
- Healthy ageing and cognitive health
- Dementia prevention and brain health
- Artificial intelligence in mental health research
- Population mental health
- Health inequalities
- Community resilience
- Patient and public involvement
- Behavioural science and implementation research
Collaborations
PHAB works closely with researchers and organisations across the UK and internationally, including collaborators within the University of Cambridge, the NHS, government, charities and international research networks.
Key collaborations include:
- Cambridge Public Health
- Department of Psychiatry
- DATAMIND
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre
- HDR UK
- International academic and clinical partners
Publications
The PHAB team publishes across a broad range of disciplines, including psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, public health and artificial intelligence.
A list of selected publications or a link to the team's publications database can be included here.
Join us
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with researchers, clinicians, policymakers and community organisations interested in improving mental health and healthy ageing.
We are also keen to hear from prospective PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and patient and public contributors interested in working with the group.
For collaboration enquiries, please contact Dr Eolene Boyd.