Accessibility statement

Healthy livelihoods

The Healthy Livelihoods team is led by Dr Amy Barnes. It is part of the Public Health and Society Research Group led by Professor Kate Pickett. 

Vision statement

To be leaders in the field of economic and social determinants of health, generating action-oriented research evidence and promoting policy innovation that fosters a fairer, more inclusive economy and ensures all individuals have the opportunity to thrive - in line with our University’s Strategy 2030 to be “for Public Good".

Strategy

Our research group focuses on advancing a healthier society by investigating how systemic social and economic factors shape the well-being and life chances of communities. We prioritise research that designs out systemic disadvantage and discrimination across key policy areas.

Currently, we focus on:

  • Creating Inclusive Economies (eg public health potential of cooperatives and credit unions, access to flexible working).
  • Enabling Fair Transitions (eg just transition to net zero, inclusive retrofitting of housing, inclusive regeneration).
  • Transforming Social Policy (eg improving experiences of supported housing, youth policy, inclusive services for unpaid adult carers, action on food insecurity).

We employ a high-impact model of applied research, consistently delivering both academic rigour and significant civic value. We are experienced embedded researchers, utilising methodologies such as participatory research, policy-engaged studies, co-production, and mixed methods analysis to ensure our findings are robust, timely, and tailored to specific contexts.

A cornerstone of our mission is translating research directly into effective policy and practice. Our deep and growing collaboration with Bradford Council and the Bradford Health Determinants Research Collaboration, channelled through our Evidence into Policy and Practice Hub, exemplifies this approach. We champion a model of co-production and mutual learning, bringing together academic expertise, policy insights, and direct engagement with affected communities and residents to drive real-world impact in local and national governance.

Our leadership of the Born in Bradford Centre for Social Change @UoY also aims to drive meaningful impact by bridging research and policy through sustained collaborative action.

Healthy Livelihoods Group members

Examples of projects