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Andrew Pickles

Professor Andrew Pickles

Professor of Biostatistics and Psychological Methods

Research interests

  • Biomedical and life sciences
  • Psychology

Biography

My career has passed through universities in the UK and US and has spanned natural, social and medical sciences.  My research in the field of mental health and neurodevelopment, was strongly influenced by a spell as statistician in Michael Rutter’s MRC Unit at the Institute of Psychiatry from 1986 to 1998. This gave rise to long-term collaborations with Catherine Lord, Emily Simonoff and many other exceptional scientists and colleagues, and which has focused largely on children, particularly those with autism. A collaboration with Sophia Rabe-Hesketh also led to the development of the gllamm program and the framework for multilevel generalized structural equation modelling. Ten years at the University of Manchester allowed additional collaborations in language development with Gina Conti-Ramsden among others. I returned to King's College London (KCL) Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) in 2010 as Head of Biostatistics and Director of KCL’s Clinical Trials Unit. An important more recent shift has been towards the study of infants and early developmental signals and processes. Much of my methodological work has dealt with longitudinal models for developmental data and the many and varied impacts of measurement error and how these can be overcome.  I am a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, a National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigator and highly cited scientist. 

Research Interests: 

  • Statistical methods for developmental data
  • Generalized structural equation modelling
  • Measurement, development and treatment of autism of autism
  • Measurement and development of language
  • Cohort studies

Teaching:

  • Generalized Structural Equation Modelling in Stata
  • Contemporary Psychometrics

Expertise and Public Engagement:

  • Academy of Medical Sciences
  • Academia Europea

Research

le_thumb
Lifecourse Epidemiology

The lifecourse epidemiology group researches developmental change, especially in childhood and adolescence. We specialise in methodology for longitudinal data including structural equation modelling.

People walking
Mental Health & Neuroscience Clinical Trial Statistics Group

The Mental Health & Neuroscience Clinical Trial Statistics Group leads on the design, conduct and reporting of clinical trials in mental health.

neuron-communication-receptor-STRATA-Schizophrenia-hero
STRATA - Schizophrenia: Treatment Resistance and Therapeutic Advances

People with schizophrenia suffer from a range of symptoms including hallucinations (such as hearing voices), delusions (false beliefs) and thought disorder (thoughts not flowing in a logical way).

BIPP_Study_logo
BIPP Study

The BIPP Study is a longitudinal follow-up study of brain development and childhood outcomes following very preterm birth, led by Professor Chiara Nosarti.

Project status: Ongoing

Predicting outcomes for autistic children

An international collaboration to develop models that predict outcomes in adolescence and adulthood for autistic children.

Project status: Ongoing

PML_banner
Psychometrics & Measurement Lab

Research in the Lab focuses on the methodology and applications of psychometrics, psychological measurement, mathematical psychology, and social statistics.

News

Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke and Professor Andrew Pickles elected to Academia Europaea

Leading experts at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London have been elected as members of Academia Europaea.

Edm

New research investigates the effectiveness of perinatal mental health services

Researchers at King’s College London investigated the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and service satisfaction of a range of specialist perinatal...

C0091669-Newborn_baby_s_grip_reflex-SPL

Covid-19 associated with a marked increase in mental health issues for 11-12 year olds

The COVID-19 pandemic has coincided with a sharp increase in symptoms of depression and PTSD reported by children aged 11-12

Group of diverse modern teenagers wearing protective masks

Professors Andrew Pickles and Nikolas Rose elected to the British Academy

Professor Andrew Pickles from the IoPPN’s Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics and Professor Nikolas Rose, of the Department of Global Health &...

Professors Andrew Pickles and Nikolas Rose elected to the British Academy

Research

le_thumb
Lifecourse Epidemiology

The lifecourse epidemiology group researches developmental change, especially in childhood and adolescence. We specialise in methodology for longitudinal data including structural equation modelling.

People walking
Mental Health & Neuroscience Clinical Trial Statistics Group

The Mental Health & Neuroscience Clinical Trial Statistics Group leads on the design, conduct and reporting of clinical trials in mental health.

neuron-communication-receptor-STRATA-Schizophrenia-hero
STRATA - Schizophrenia: Treatment Resistance and Therapeutic Advances

People with schizophrenia suffer from a range of symptoms including hallucinations (such as hearing voices), delusions (false beliefs) and thought disorder (thoughts not flowing in a logical way).

BIPP_Study_logo
BIPP Study

The BIPP Study is a longitudinal follow-up study of brain development and childhood outcomes following very preterm birth, led by Professor Chiara Nosarti.

Project status: Ongoing

Predicting outcomes for autistic children

An international collaboration to develop models that predict outcomes in adolescence and adulthood for autistic children.

Project status: Ongoing

PML_banner
Psychometrics & Measurement Lab

Research in the Lab focuses on the methodology and applications of psychometrics, psychological measurement, mathematical psychology, and social statistics.

News

Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke and Professor Andrew Pickles elected to Academia Europaea

Leading experts at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London have been elected as members of Academia Europaea.

Edm

New research investigates the effectiveness of perinatal mental health services

Researchers at King’s College London investigated the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and service satisfaction of a range of specialist perinatal...

C0091669-Newborn_baby_s_grip_reflex-SPL

Covid-19 associated with a marked increase in mental health issues for 11-12 year olds

The COVID-19 pandemic has coincided with a sharp increase in symptoms of depression and PTSD reported by children aged 11-12

Group of diverse modern teenagers wearing protective masks

Professors Andrew Pickles and Nikolas Rose elected to the British Academy

Professor Andrew Pickles from the IoPPN’s Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics and Professor Nikolas Rose, of the Department of Global Health &...

Professors Andrew Pickles and Nikolas Rose elected to the British Academy