
Dr Charlotte Woodhead
Lecturer in Society & Mental Health
Research interests
- Mental Health
Contact details
Biography
Charlotte completed a BSc in Biology & Psychology at Royal Holloway University, then an MRC-funded MSc in Demography & Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Her MRC/ESRC funded PhD, based in the department of Psychological Medicine at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), was a mixed methods investigation into the mental health of female UK Armed Forces personnel.
She has since worked in post-doctoral research posts at the Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre for two years and then at the NIHR North Thames Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) University College London (UCL). This included two embedded research posts within Haringey and Redbridge public health teams. She joined the ESRC Centre as a Lecturer in March 2020.
Research
- Mental health inequalities
- Urban mental health
- Young adult mental health
- Evaluation of complex social interventions
- Voluntary and community sector
- Systems thinking
- Mixed methods research
As a mixed methods researcher, Charlotte's interests are in understanding social/structural determinants of mental ill health at all levels of severity; how and when people’s mental health is influenced by the social world; as well as how and where intervening might have the most positive influence. More specifically, she draws on social science theory and evidence to understand and evaluate complex social interventions with the aim of reducing inequalities in mental health and healthcare, particularly those led by communities affected and by the voluntary and community sector.
Charlotte is also interested in the role of voluntary sector services and community programs in providing, and increasing equity of access to, mental health support for young adults, LGBTQ+, low income and racial and ethnic minority groups.
Teaching
PhD supervision
Charlotte welcomes any students who wish to be supervised in any areas aligned with her research interests, particularly those wanting to further the evidence base around reducing inequalities in mental health and access to support.
Further details
Research

Mental Health & Society research group
Seeking to better understand the socio-political dimensions of mental health and illness in the Global North and South.
Status not set
Health Inequalities Research Group
Health Inequalities Research Group is focused on delivering interdisciplinary research on inequalities in mental health in marginalised communities and across health services with an emphasis on race at the intersection of other social identities.
Status not set
Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in health Services (TIDES)
TIDES study investigates how discrimination experienced by both patients and healthcare practitioners may generate and perpetuate inequalities in health service
Project status: Ongoing

The STEP (Schools Training to Enhance support for LGBT+ young People) Study
The STEP Study investigates what training is available to schools to support LGBT+ young people and how this training can be improved.
Project status: Ongoing

CONtributions of social NETworks to Community Thriving (CONNECT)
The CONtributions of social NETworks to Community Thriving (CONNECT) Study uses Participatory Action Research to investigate networks and wellbeing.
Project status: Ongoing
News
PRiSM project explores religion, spirituality and mental health in Southeast London faith communities
The Perspectives on Religion and Spirituality in coping with Mental health (PRiSM) project, aims to understand the role of religion and spirituality in...

Racism embedded in NHS organisational culture and norms prevents progress on healthcare staff inequities
New research from The Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in health Services (TIDES) study team at King’s College London has found addressing...

New King's online course provides free peer and community research training
The new course, led by the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health aims to support and empower people to conduct their own research to initiate positive...

Vaccine hesitancy linked to previous experiences of discrimination in healthcare staff
A new study from researchers at King’s has explored how COVID-19 related inequalities experienced by healthcare professionals from racial and ethnic minority...

New podcast explores relationship between societal changes and mental health
The Centre for Society and Mental Health at King’s College London is hosting a new podcast that will explore how changes in society affect our mental health...

Events

Improving support for LGBT+ young people in schools and colleges
Part of the ESRC Fesival of Social Sciences.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Improving support for LGBT+ young people in schools and colleges
Written in observance of LGBT+ History Month, the STEP Study team discuss the importance of LGBT+ support training for school teachers and staff.

World Mental Health Day 2020 - King's contribution to understanding and treating mental health
Our world-leading research and community initiatives, together aim to find solutions to some of the challenges faced for people living with mental illness,...

Spotlight
Striving for equity – mental health support for young LGBTQ+ people
Around one in eight children and young people in the UK have a clinically diagnosable mental health disorder.

Research

Mental Health & Society research group
Seeking to better understand the socio-political dimensions of mental health and illness in the Global North and South.
Status not set
Health Inequalities Research Group
Health Inequalities Research Group is focused on delivering interdisciplinary research on inequalities in mental health in marginalised communities and across health services with an emphasis on race at the intersection of other social identities.
Status not set
Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in health Services (TIDES)
TIDES study investigates how discrimination experienced by both patients and healthcare practitioners may generate and perpetuate inequalities in health service
Project status: Ongoing

The STEP (Schools Training to Enhance support for LGBT+ young People) Study
The STEP Study investigates what training is available to schools to support LGBT+ young people and how this training can be improved.
Project status: Ongoing

CONtributions of social NETworks to Community Thriving (CONNECT)
The CONtributions of social NETworks to Community Thriving (CONNECT) Study uses Participatory Action Research to investigate networks and wellbeing.
Project status: Ongoing
News
PRiSM project explores religion, spirituality and mental health in Southeast London faith communities
The Perspectives on Religion and Spirituality in coping with Mental health (PRiSM) project, aims to understand the role of religion and spirituality in...

Racism embedded in NHS organisational culture and norms prevents progress on healthcare staff inequities
New research from The Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in health Services (TIDES) study team at King’s College London has found addressing...

New King's online course provides free peer and community research training
The new course, led by the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health aims to support and empower people to conduct their own research to initiate positive...

Vaccine hesitancy linked to previous experiences of discrimination in healthcare staff
A new study from researchers at King’s has explored how COVID-19 related inequalities experienced by healthcare professionals from racial and ethnic minority...

New podcast explores relationship between societal changes and mental health
The Centre for Society and Mental Health at King’s College London is hosting a new podcast that will explore how changes in society affect our mental health...

Events

Improving support for LGBT+ young people in schools and colleges
Part of the ESRC Fesival of Social Sciences.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Improving support for LGBT+ young people in schools and colleges
Written in observance of LGBT+ History Month, the STEP Study team discuss the importance of LGBT+ support training for school teachers and staff.

World Mental Health Day 2020 - King's contribution to understanding and treating mental health
Our world-leading research and community initiatives, together aim to find solutions to some of the challenges faced for people living with mental illness,...

Spotlight
Striving for equity – mental health support for young LGBTQ+ people
Around one in eight children and young people in the UK have a clinically diagnosable mental health disorder.
