Kathryn Watson is a mixed-methods applied health researcher. She joined King’s Improvement Science (KIS) in 2021 as a Research Assistant, before being promoted to Research Associate in 2023. Kathryn’s work involves leading and supporting improvement, implementation and evaluation projects across the King’s Health Partner organisations.

Kathryn has a diverse background of skills and experiences that span research and evaluation, Patient and Public Involvement, clinical medicine and social entrepreneurship. She also holds a BSc in Immunity and Infection (2008) and a PhD in Microbiology (2011) from Imperial College London.

Prior to joining KIS, Kathryn worked as a researcher at Solent University on a mental health and heritage project and in research communications at the McPin Foundation. She worked as a General Practice Specialist Trainee until 2018. Kathryn also successfully conceived and brought to market “my illustrated mind” via Kickstarter in 2021. This is an illustrated card deck, grounded in lived experience, to facilitate honest conversations about mental health issues. It is designed to be used as an educational, communication and therapeutic tool by people with lived experience of mental health issues and health professionals.

Research Interests

• Improvement and Implementation Science
• Healthcare Evaluation
• Patient and Public Involvement
• Mental Health Research