School of Social and Political Science

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A new initiative led by University of Edinburgh researchers will help the world prepare more effectively for future pandemics by addressing one of the major lessons of COVID-19 – that pandemics affect far more than healthcare systems alone.  

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a major gap in preparedness planning around the world. Beyond its toll of illness and death, the pandemic disrupted schools, workplaces, livelihoods, public services and wellbeing.  

The Edinburgh Pandemic Research Forum (EPRF) brings together 87 academics and clinicians from diverse disciplines to improve understanding of these broader impacts and strengthen future preparedness.  

It includes 11 experts from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science, joining others from the wider University, the NHS and other research organisations.   

Pandemic planning 

Pandemic research needs to extend beyond clinical medicine and public health. It must also encompass human behaviour, social science, economics, ethics, governance, education, biodiversity, farming and more.  

These are well-established areas of expertise within the Edinburgh research community, making the EPRF exceptionally well-positioned to take a broader approach to future health emergencies. 

The Forum is among the first research initiatives in the world to integrate the protection of public health with addressing the wider societal harms of pandemics.  

It seeks to identify how preparedness plans and responses can incorporate the impacts of a pandemic on people, communities, businesses, services, and the environment. 

Diverse expertise 

The EPRF is hosted by Edinburgh Infectious Diseases, one of the largest groupings of infectious disease experts in Europe.  

The Forum also includes researchers from the University of Edinburgh’s schools of Informatics, Social and Political Science, Law, Education and Sport, Business and Engineering, and specialists from NHS Lothian, Edinburgh Napier University and the Moredun Research Institute. 

The EPRF’s mission is to promote interdisciplinary research that will help society prepare for the next pandemic. A programme of events, training and collaborative activities will bring together researchers and wider stakeholders, including supporting postgraduate students and early career researchers.  

The EPRF will also contribute to policy discussions, participate in national and international networks, and provide expert advice during health emergencies. 

Professor Alice Street – a social anthropologist in the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) - is on the EPRF steering committee. The other members from the School are: 

• Dr Francisca Adom-Opare (Centre of African Studies)  
• Dr Devanjan Bhattacharya (Sociology)   
• Dr Nathan Coombs (Sociology) 
• Professor Lukas Engelmann (Science, Technology and Innovation Studies)   
• Dr Jean-Benoit Falisse (Centre of African Studies) 
• Dr Mark Hellowell (Social Policy)   
• Dr Farah Huzair (STIS)   
• Dr Markus Ketola (Social Policy)   
• Professor Joyce Tait (Science, Technology and Innovation Studies)   
• Dr Amrit Virk (Social Policy) 

The forum lead, Professor Mark Woolhouse, Chair of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, said: “The world needs to be prepared for the next global pandemic and the Edinburgh research community is rising to the challenge. We made outstanding and impressively diverse contributions to research during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Forum will help us respond even more effectively to future infectious disease emergencies.” 

Learn more on the Edinburgh Pandemic Research Forum web pages.