Dr Emily Seto (University of Toronto) and Dr Pauline Whelan (University of Manchester) work on the translation of digital health research into clinical practice, with particular expertise in the design, adoption and spread of apps in healthcare. Videha explores Emily and Pauline’s unique backgrounds and discusses the importance of leadership skills to manage clinical, academic and industry stakeholders when working on digital health research. Pauline then shares the role of a design-led approach to ensure digital health solutions are designed to the needs of the users and achieve intended benefits. Emily shares her experience of overcoming barriers to adoption and they both discuss the challenges of scaling successful solutions across geographies.  

Dr Joe Firth is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow. His research focuses on using digital technologies and physical health interventions to improve outcomes for people living with mental illness. Joe tells Videha about why digital health technologies offer promise when it comes to supporting people living with mental illness and gives a sneak preview on his forthcoming work, including a follow-up to the influential Lancet Commission report on protecting physical health in people with mental illness.

Guests Charlotte Stockton-Powdrell and Ruth Norris are pushing the boundaries of traditional ways of working in academic research by harnessing the power of interdisciplinary and diverse teams to boost creativity and innovation. Ruth and Charlie talk to Videha about ‘team science’, the importance of role of non-academic roles in research and how bringing in skilled specialists can enrich the thinking and design of health technology.