Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy

Lessons from researchers on the frontline of the UK’s Covid response

The pandemic is clearly far from over – even if its worst effects now seem to be behind us. And key to reaching this point has been the work of researchers on the frontline, bringing evidence and expertise to bear on an unprecedented public health challenge.

The National Institute for Health and Care's Emergency, Preparedness and Response Health Protection Research Unit (EPR HPRU) – a partnership between King’s College London, Public Health England and the University of East Anglia – has done just this. The unit has produced over 50 academic papers that directly contributed to national policy and with members of the team joining the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), setting up and chairing the Independent Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) and providing advice and real-time analysis to the Department for Health and Social Care.

This essay collection showcases the unit’s critical role in the UK's response to Covid-19. In it, the EPR HPRU team reflect on lessons learned throughout the pandemic, with pieces on the damaging effect of leaks from within government, how social divisions were exacerbated by Covid-19, the mental health of NHS staff, the barriers to seeking a test, the social psychology of emergency responders working as a team and more.